Washington, D.C. – On June 13, the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee voted to encourage the Department of Defense to strengthen engagement with Armenia including through “bilateral training opportunities and other security cooperation activities.” This is the first time a congressional Armed Services Committee has specifically called for increasing security cooperation between the U.S. and Armenia.

The language calling for increasing U.S.-Armenia security ties is part of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA now heads to the Senate floor for consideration.

“We thank the Senate Armed Services Committee for expressing bipartisan support to increase security cooperation between the U.S. and Armenia,” said Global ARM President Timothy Jemal. “Increasing security ties between the U.S. and Armenia is a top priority for Global ARM at a time when the country’s existence is at stake. I am pleased our advocacy efforts are showing results.”

The NDAA authorizes funding levels and provides authorities for the U.S. military and other critical defense priorities, ensuring America’s forces have the training, equipment, and resources they need to carry out their missions. An Executive Summary of the NDAA can be seen here: NDAA Executive Summary.

In November of 2023, Global ARM expanded its DC advocacy by retaining the lobbying firms of McKeon Group and Plurus Strategies. McKeon and Plurus have focused their lobbying efforts on Congress, the Executive Branch and Think Tanks with influence over U.S. foreign policy. Both lobbying groups have significant bipartisan ties in Washington.

About Global ARM: Global ARM is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization formed in 2022 by experienced lobbying and political professionals to implement smarter, stronger and more effective Pro-Armenia, Pro-Artsakh lobbying in Washington, D.C. Global ARM is non-partisan and not aligned with any political party or government inside or outside of Armenia.