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. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticized Washington over its support for Kurdish groups fighting the Islamic State that Ankara considers terrorist organizations.

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Featured image courtesy of the U.S. Navy