The 6 out of 11 Representatives, who voted against the H. Res. 296, aimed at acknowledgement of Armenian genocide, are members of Congressional Caucus on U.S.-Turkey Relations and Turkish Americans (total number of members-107). They are-
Susan Brooks- Republican-Indiana
Larry Bucshon- Republican-Indiana
Tom Cole- Republican-Oklahoma
Virginia Foxx- Republican- South Carolina
Andy Harris- Republican Maryland
Mark Meadows- South Carolina
The other congressman who voted against the resolution are not members of Turkish Caucus:
Jim Baird-Republican-Indiana
Kevin Brady- Republican- Texas
Greg Pence-Republican-Indiana
Michael Rogers- Republican-Alabama
William Thornberry-Republican- Texas
It is not a coincidence, that 4 Congressman who voted against the resolution are from state of Indiana- Susan Brooks, Larry Bucshon, Tom Cole, Greg Pence and Jim Baird. A turkish entrepreneur and megadonor Ersal Ozdemir is also from Indiana and he is the founder of Keystone Group and Indy Eleven Professional Soccer. Those 4 congressman who voted against the resolution were financed by Ersal Ozdemir and his wife- Izabella Ozdemir, particularly
Larry Bucshon- $7500
Susan Brooks- $11827
Greg Pence- $7734
Jim Baird- $500
Ersal Ozdemir, besides financing individual candidates, has also financed Indiana Republican State Committee in the amount of $18 thousand.
Besides, some of the 11 congressman who voted against the resolution were financed by turkish PACs. Pac is a political committee whose aim is to raise money for financing or defeating other candidates. The most active and well-known turkish PACs are Turkish Coalition USA PAC (TC-USA PAC), Turkish Coalition Northeast PAC (TC-NE PAC), Turkish Coalition California PAC (TC-CAL PAC), Turkish Coalition Midwest PAC (TC-Midwest PAC, the committee treasurer of the letter was the above mentioned Ersal Ozdemir), National Turkey Federation PAC (TURPA). These PACs are largely financed by Turkey and Tukish community in the USA. This money is later transferred to their favorite congressional candidates.
Particularly:
Jim Baird- $2500, National Turkey Federation PAC,
Larry Bucshon- $2500, National Turkey Federation PAC,
Virginia Foxx-$10,500- Turkish Coalition USA PAC», Turkish Coalition Northeast PAC,
Tom Cole- $500.00-Turkish Coalition USA PAC,
Greg Pence- $500-Turkish Coalition Midwest PAC
