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July 7, 2017
US lawmaker wants to block F-35 sales to Turkey over embassy brawl
WASHINGTON — A Democratic lawmaker from Rhode Island is seeking to block
the U.S. sale of Lockheed Martin-made F-35 fighter jets to Turkey
over an attack on protesters
outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence in Washington two months ago.
Rep. David Cicilline, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee,
has proposed the ban as an amendment to the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act,
which was passed by the House Armed Services Committee last month.
The House is expected to take up the bill and deal with amendments next week.
The House Rules Committee had reported more than 90 proposed amendments on various topics as of Friday morning.
The panel plans to vote on whether to allow floor consideration of the individual amendments Wednesday.
Any approved amendments would then need House approval to join the bill, which would have to be reconciled with the Senate version after it passes the House.
The amendment highlights the complicated U.S. relationship with Turkey, a key NATO ally and home to Incirlik Air Base.
Cicilline’s proposed amendment would effectively bar
the transfer of the jets to Turkey
until U.S. President Donald Trump certifies the government of Turkey
is cooperating with the criminal investigation and prosecution
of Turkish government employees involved in the the May 16 attacks.
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