The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee voted 44-7 on July 22 to approve an amendment calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all Armenian hostages held in Azerbaijan, according to the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). The ANCA-backed amendment was introduced by Congressional Armenian Caucus Vice Chair Brad Sherman, a California Democrat. "Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee voted 44-7 in favor of my amendment calling on Azerbaijan to immediately release all Armenian POWs. The congressman also linked the release of the hostages to the U.S. administration's diplomatic efforts in the region. "As President Trump continues his efforts to secure lasting peace in the South Caucasus, securing the release of Armenian prisoners of war and political prisoners would be a significant step toward this achievement," he said.