Sponsors (32)
The bill strengthens U.S. support and oversight to bolster Armenia's defense and press Azerbaijan to comply, but narrows presidential flexibility, could raise taxpayer costs, and risks producing hurried reports.
Armenian security forces and civilians: could receive targeted U.S. security assistance to fill defense gaps when Azerbaijan fails to meet commitments, improving Armenia's deterrence and self‑defense.
Congress and the public: will get regular, specific reporting on Azerbaijan's compliance and U.S. threat assessments, increasing congressional oversight and transparency.
U.S. negotiators and Armenia: limiting the President's waiver authority if Azerbaijan doesn't comply strengthens U.S. leverage to press for withdrawal of forces and release of prisoners.
U.S. diplomatic negotiators and broader peace efforts: restricting the President's waiver authority could reduce diplomatic flexibility and complicate negotiation of broader settlements or coordinated measures.
U.S. taxpayers: increased U.S. security assistance or related arms sales to Armenia may raise costs for taxpayers.
Congress, policymakers, and the public: tight reporting deadlines (e.g., 14 days) may force hurried assessments that rely on preliminary information and reduce report quality.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires DoD certifications on Azerbaijani actions toward Armenia, mandates a review/report if certification is not possible, and limits a statutory presidential waiver after that review.
Official title: To require the Secretary of Defense to certify that the Government of Azerbaijan has taken certain meaningful steps with respect to Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh region, and for other purposes.
Introduced December 18, 2025 by Gus Bilirakis · Last progress December 18, 2025
Requires the Secretary of Defense, working with other national security agencies as needed, to certify within 180 days of enactment and at least annually whether Azerbaijan has taken specified meaningful steps toward de‑escalation and commitments to Armenia (withdrawal from Armenian territory, release of prisoners, end hostilities, recognition of return rights to Nagorno‑Karabakh, protection of Armenian cultural sites, and upholding a Joint Declaration). If the Secretary cannot make the certification, DoD must complete a short review within 14 days and then report to the congressional defense committees on threats to Armenia, gaps in Armenia’s deterrence and self‑defense, assessment of U.S. security assistance (including ISCP, FMF, IMET), immediate DoD cooperation steps, and recommended further assistance. If the Secretary cannot certify, the President may not use the specific waiver authority under the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2002 for assistance to the independent states of the former Soviet Union after the 14‑day review period. The bill defines congressional defense committees for reporting purposes and establishes an annual certification and reporting requirement.