Senate Unites to Halt Aid to Azerbaijan Amid Fears of Imminent Conflict with Armenia

In an extraordinary display of bipartisan unity, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously, 100-0, to suspend military aid to Azerbaijan for the next two years, signaling growing alarm over potential aggression toward neighboring Armenia. The rare consensus, delivered through the swift passage of the Armenian Protection Act, comes in response to escalating tensions in the South Caucasus and fears that Azerbaijan may soon launch a military incursion.

The bill, introduced by Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), halts all U.S. security assistance to Azerbaijan in light of its nine-month blockade of the ethnic Armenian population in the Nagorno-Karabakh region and threats of military force to establish a contentious corridor through southern Armenia.

“We must send a clear message that the United States will enforce the conditions we place on our foreign military aid,” said Peters on the Senate floor. “If we look the other way when those terms are violated, we make our agreements meaningless.”

A Crisis Unfolding in the Caucasus

The vote comes on the heels of a major humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, where more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians have fled following Azerbaijan’s military pressure and a near-total blockade. Armenian officials and human rights observers have described the events as a form of ethnic cleansing, prompting a strong international reaction.

President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan has openly demanded Armenia open a “Zangezur corridor” along its southern border to connect mainland Azerbaijan with its exclave, Nakhchivan. Aliyev has warned that if Armenia resists, his government will resolve the issue “by force.”

The act of Congress sends a significant warning, making it clear that further aggression could come at a steep diplomatic and financial cost.

Fallout Within the Democratic Party Over Spending Bill

While the Senate stood united on foreign policy, deep fractures are emerging within the Democratic Party over domestic issues—particularly the controversial decision by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to allow a Republican-crafted continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a stinging rebuke of the agreement, which she viewed as capitulating to conservative demands at the expense of working Americans.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Pelosi wrote, “Donald Trump and Elon Musk have offered the Congress a false choice between a government shutdown or a blank check that guts support for working families. Democrats should not be buying into this.” She emphasized the need for a more balanced short-term extension and applauded House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries for standing firm.

“Listen to the women. Listen to Rosa DeLauro and Patty Murray,” Pelosi added, referencing two powerful Democratic appropriations leaders who oppose the current funding bill.

Democratic Discontent Reaches a Boiling Point

The CR, which passed with bipartisan support in both chambers, has triggered internal Democratic backlash like rarely seen before. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) criticized Senate leadership directly during an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper.

“I believe that’s a tremendous mistake,” she said, referring to Schumer’s willingness to allow a simple majority vote on the bill. “Why would we give away our few pieces of leverage for nothing?”

Adding to the growing frustration, former Obama adviser Van Jones said the dissatisfaction was far beyond ordinary infighting.

“There’s a volcanic eruption of outrage toward Leader Schumer,” Jones said. “We remember how Mitch McConnell played hardball during the Obama years—he got everything for his party. Now we want someone who will stand up to Trump and Musk, not give ground.”

He added, “Politics isn’t just about logic—it’s also about emotion. And there’s a deep emotional need right now to fight back.”

Jeffries Dodges Questions on Schumer’s Future

When asked whether it was time for new leadership in the Senate, House Minority Leader Jeffries declined to engage, responding curtly, “Next question.” His brief answer did little to ease speculation that discontent within the party is intensifying behind closed doors.

Though Schumer remains respected by many in the Democratic establishment, recent developments suggest that his ability to navigate party unity is being tested like never before.

A Divided Front on Domestic Issues, But Unity on Foreign Threats

Despite internal strife on the domestic front, the Senate’s unanimous vote on the Armenian Protection Act shows that national security concerns can still inspire rare moments of unity in Washington. By cutting military aid to Azerbaijan, lawmakers aim to prevent further escalation and stand in solidarity with a longstanding democratic partner in the region.

Whether that same sense of purpose can be restored in domestic debates remains to be seen. But for now, one thing is clear: the U.S. is watching the Caucasus closely, and it’s ready to act when allies are threatened and agreements are violated.