The U.S. must impose strong sanctions on Turkey.
The U.S. must affirm a fact of history.
Uphold American values and security interests.
Hold Turkey responsible. The House acted. Now the Senate must.
Contact your Senators today!
Action Items: U.S. Senate Must Act!
1. Tell your U.S. Senators to support legislation that places strong sanctions on Turkey by encouraging Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring it to the floor:
-
S.2641, Risch-Menendez Promoting American National Security and Preventing the Resurgence of ISIS Act of 2019 (see co-sponsors)
- Senate Foreign Relations Committee passes S.2641.
- What’s Next: Majority Leader Mitch McConnell must bring S.2641 to the Senate Floor for a vote.
- Read: Supreme President Horiates’ letter to Majority Leader McConnell
Contact Congress
- Find Your U.S. Representative
- Find Your U.S. Senators
- Call the Capitol Switchboard and ask for your legislator’s office: 202.224.3121
Sample Email Content
As a constituent, I urge you to call on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to have the Senate take immediate action to sanction Turkey.
Turkey must be held liable for its invasion of northeast Syria, which is a violation of international law. Turkey attacked U.S.-allied Kurds who fought against ISIS, caused civilian casualties, and endangered U.S. military personnel. It worsened a humanitarian and refugee crisis and fueled increased regional tension and instability, including instigating a migration crisis on the Greek-Turkish border. In the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey conducts illegal drilling activities, signs illegal maritime agreements, and practices gunboat diplomacy.
As a first step, I urge you to co-sponsor, if you have not already, S.2641, Promoting American National Security and Preventing the Resurgence of ISIS Act of 2019, sponsored by Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Jim Risch and Ranking Member Robert Menendez. Equally important, please reach out to Majority Leader McConnell and urge a floor vote on the bill.
Please support this vitally important legislation that upholds American values and security interests. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Talking Points (If Calling)
Turkey’s invasion of northeast Syria:
✅ Violates international law
✅ Attacks U.S.-allied Kurds, has resulted in civilian casualties, and endangers U.S. military personnel
✅ Worsens a humanitarian and refugee crisis
✅ Fuels increased regional tension and instability, including in the Eastern Mediterranean where Turkey conducts illegal drilling activities and practices
gunboat diplomacy
✅ Is part of Turkey’s expansionist agenda
* * *
THANK YOU!
✅ To everyone who came out and protested the visit of President Erdogan to the White House (news release) (photo gallery)
PASSED!
✅ H.R.4695, the Protect Against Conflict by Turkey (PACT) Act, sponsored by Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel and Ranking Member Michael McCaul. (roll call vote)
✅ H.Res.296, Affirming the United States record on the Armenian Genocide, sponsored by U.S. Reps. Adam Schiff, Gus Bilirakis, and Frank Pallone. (roll call vote)
- The resolution cites the U.S.’ “providing relief to the survivors of the campaign of genocide against Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Syriacs, Arameans, Maronites, and other Christians;”
- The resolution also cites the work of the Near East Relief, which was chartered by an Act of Congress. Near East Relief provided humanitarian aid to Greek refugees and to Greece during a period from 1915 to 1930.
✅ S.Res.150, Expressing the sense of the Senate that it is the policy of the United States to commemorate the Armenian Genocide through official recognition and remembrance. (see co-sponsors)
- The resolution cites the U.S.’ “providing relief to the survivors of the campaign of genocide against Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Syriacs, Arameans, Maronites, and other Christians;”
- Read: AHEPA statement
Resources
Supreme President George Horiates writes to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Nov. 26 (read letter)
NEW! Senators Lindsey Graham and Chris Van Hollen write to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Dec. 2 (read letter)
NEW! In rebuke to Trump, Senate Republicans move closer to sanctioning Turkey
Article: McConnell sends warning shot on Turkey sanctions after House vote
Article: Turkey likens Syria push to Cyprus intervention
From October 7 Statement: AHEPA Outraged as the West Continues to Turn a Blind Eye to Turkey
“We urge Washington and Brussels to act now. We reiterate our call for targeted, swift and overwhelming sanctions to be placed on Turkey, specific to illegal actions Turkey has taken in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus. We welcome the bipartisan call for sanctions should Turkey conduct military operations in Northeast Syria against the Kurds. Additionally, NATO partners must scrutinize Turkey’s place in the Alliance. Further, Congress must hold hearings on Turkey’s threats to peace and security in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, including its ties to terrorist organizations, based on these recent developments.”
Senate Foreign Relations Ranking Member Robert Menendez speaks on the Senate floor:
Senators Graham, Van Hollen Press Conference: