WASHINGTON–The House International Operations and Human Rights Sub-Committee is scheduled to vote on the H.Res 398–the Armenian Genocide Bill on Thursday and not on Wednesday–as it was previously announced–sources in Washington reported.
Sub-committee chairman Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ)–an ardent supporter of the resolution–will decide the day and time of the vote.
If the measure passes the sub-committee–the resolution will then go for a vote in the House International Relations Committee. If the entire committee also approves the measure–the resolution will either go to the House Rules Committee or the entire House floor–at which time it will require a two-thirds vote [if bypassed by Rules Committee].
The 106th Congress is scheduled to adjourn on Oct. 6. If the Genocide resolution does not pass this Congress–the new legislature taking office in January will have re-introduce similar legislation for consideration by the 107th Congress.
The community has been urged to act on the matter by the H.Res. 398 Committee–a coalition of 13 organizations which include Apostolic Exarchate for Armenian Catholics ; Armenian Assembly of America; Armenian Bar Association; Armenian Evangelical World Council; Armenian General Benevolent Union; Armenian Missionary Association of America; Armenian National Committee of America; Armenian Relief Society of North America; Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America – East; Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America – West; Knights of Vartan; Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America – East; Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America – West.