"America's non-response to the Turkish horrors established patterns that would be repeated ... we know all too well the horrors that would be repeated later in the 20th century with the Holocaust and other genocides around the world," Menendez said. "Here in the Senate today, we break those patterns. We join the House who voted to do so ... 405-11. Today the Senate shows the same resolve."

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who worked closely with Menendez on the proposal, called its passage "an achievement for truth, an achievement for speaking the truth to darkness, for speaking the truth to evil."

The bipartisan denunciation of Turkey could be the first step in pushback at Erdoğan for buying Russian weapons. Senators have been pushing for enforcement of existing sanctions, and Menendez is among several senators in both parties aiming to tack on more economic pain for Turkey.

Erdoğan visited the White House this fall and held an unusual meeting alongside Trump with Republican senators, temporarily delaying the Senate's actions against Turkey. But it appears the chamber is getting sick of staying on the sidelines.

