June 10, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 96 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session
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EXPRESSING CONCERN FOR THE UNITED STATES-TURKEY ALLIANCE; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 96
(House of Representatives - June 10, 2019)
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[Pages H4378-H4381] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] EXPRESSING CONCERN FOR THE UNITED STATES-TURKEY ALLIANCE Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 372) expressing concern for the United States- Turkey alliance. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 372 Whereas the United States and Turkey have been treaty allies since 1952, when Turkey became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); Whereas the United States and Turkey are treaty bound to safeguard the principles of democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law, as well as to unite their efforts for collective defense and the preservation of peace and security; Whereas Turkey is in a unique geostrategic position on NATO's southeastern flank, at the confluence of Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and the Caucasus; Whereas Turkey is a critical NATO ally and important military partner for the United States, contributing to key NATO and United States missions and providing support for United States military operations and logistics needs; Whereas Turkey permits United States military access to Turkish territorial waters, airspace, and base and port facilities, and hosts over 2,000 members of the United States Armed Forces, air defense equipment, and other equipment necessary to conduct global operations and power projection; Whereas Turkey is a key player in the long-term strategic competition Western allies face with revisionist powers such as Russia and China; Whereas despite the fact that Turkey shares key regional interests with the United States, its cooperation with Russia and Iran, its military occupation of northern Cyprus, its rollback of democratic norms and institutions, including attacks on the free press, and its continued unjust detention of United States citizens and locally employed United States Embassy staff is deeply problematic for the United States- Turkey relationship; Whereas the United States recognizes that Turkey perceives growing regional security [[Page H4379]] threats from aircraft and ballistic missiles and sees an urgent need for a new air and missile defense system; Whereas Turkey announced an agreement to acquire the S-400 air and missile defense system from Russia in July 2017 and has publicly stated it could take delivery as early as July 2019; Whereas section 231 of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act of 2017 (CAATSA) requires the President to impose sanctions on any individual or entity that engages in a significant transaction with the Russian defense or intelligence sector; Whereas the United States Government has developed an attractive alternative offer to provide Turkey with a strong, capable, NATO-interoperable air and missile defense system that meets Turkey's defense requirements; Whereas Turkey's planned acquisition of the Russian-made S- 400 undermines the security of the United States and NATO allies, weakens the United States-Turkey relationship, and is incompatible with Turkey's plan to operate the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and participate in F-35 production; Whereas the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program is the world's leading 5th generation fighter aircraft program with more than a trillion dollars in investment among United States and international partners; Whereas Turkey has been a critical partner in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program since 2002, with significant industrial participation, including manufacturing of certain F-35 components, plans to host a maintenance facility for regional F-35 operators, investments of more than $1.25 billion in the program, and plans to procure 100 F-35As; and Whereas in addition to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Turkish defense acquisition programs that could be affected by sanctions include the Patriot air and missile defense system, CH-47F Chinook heavy lift helicopter, UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopter, and F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) fully supports the United States Government's January 2019 offer to sell the Patriot air and missile defense systems to Turkey, with the condition that Turkey not acquire the S-400 air and missile defense system from Russia; (2) condemns the Government of Turkey's stated decision to acquire the Russian S-400 air and missile defense system, which would endanger the integrity of the United States- Turkey alliance and undermine NATO; (3) calls for terminating Turkey's participation in the F- 35 industrial program and delivery of F-35 aircraft to Turkey if Turkey acquires the Russian S-400 air and missile defense system; (4) declares that Turkish acquisition of the Russian S-400 air and missile defense system would constitute a significant transaction within the meaning of section 231 of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act of 2017 (22 U.S.C. 9525); (5) calls for full implementation of sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act of 2017 if Turkey acquires the Russian S-400 air and missile defense system; and (6) calls on the Government of Turkey to cancel the acquisition of the Russian S-400 air and missile defense system. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York. General Leave Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 372. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York? There was no objection. Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to rise in strong support of this measure to address the developing situation with Turkey. I want to thank my colleagues who joined me to introduce this legislation; first and foremost, Ranking Member McCaul, Leader Hoyer, Minority Leader McCarthy, Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Granger, Chairman Nadler and Ranking Member Collins. Madam Speaker, Turkey is a NATO ally and a nation with which we have had a long history of friendship and partnership. But I am deeply troubled by the direction that President Erdogan is taking his country. During his time in office, we have watched as Erdogan has turned Turkey into an authoritarian state, attacking the democratic values that our two nations had shared for many years. He has cracked down on the freedom of the press, thrown innocent people in jail for voicing opposition, and consolidated his grip on power at the expense of Turkey's democratic institutions. And his troubling behavior doesn't stop there. Erdogan is cozying up to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, putting the security interests of the United States and the NATO alliance at risk. Turkey's plan to acquire the Russian S-400 air defense system would threaten American security and do lasting damage to our historic bilateral relationship. It simply cannot happen, especially while Turkey is still a U.S. and NATO ally participating in the F-35 program and hoping to acquire these planes. Today's resolution gets at this very issue. If Turkey wants to continue as a NATO ally and U.S. partner, it must commit to upholding our shared interests. And if Turkey decides to follow through on its plan to acquire the Russian S-400, then they must not be able to get American F-35s; they must not participate in the F-35 program; and they must face the consequences of their decision. And it is not that the United States is unable to comprehend Turkey's need for air defense. In fact, we have offered the Patriot anti- aircraft/anti-missile defense system, the top of the line in our inventory. That offer remains on the table. We rarely see it in foreign affairs, but this is simply a black-and- white issue. There is no middle ground. Either Mr. Erdogan cancels the Russian deal, or he doesn't. And there is no future for Turkey having both Russian weapons and American F-35s. There is no third option. There is no path for mitigation that will allow Turkey to have its cake and eat it too. We cannot risk exposing our national-security technology to Russia. There is no partisan divide on this issue. The State Department, the Defense Department, the Treasury, even Vice President Pence have all been raising the alarm and urging President Erdogan to cancel the sale. I hope President Trump listens to his advisers and makes sure Turkey's leaders understand the consequences of their actions. And the consequences are serious. If Turkey follows through with the acquisition of the S-400, it would trigger sanctions that Congress overwhelmingly, bipartisanly passed 2 years ago. It is critical that Turkey knows that the United States will use these tools if the situation arises. In the meantime, it is important that we pass this measure and send a clear message: The United States will not sit by as Erdogan turns Turkey into an authoritarian state aligned with our adversary Russia. Let me say that again. It is important that we pass this measure and send a clear message: The United States will not sit idly by as Erdogan turns Turkey into an authoritarian state aligned with our adversary Russia. So I am pleased to support this. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Financial Services, Washington, DC, March 21, 2019. Hon. Elliot Engel, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing concerning H. Res. 372, Expressing Concern for the United States Turkey Alliance. Because you have been working with the Committee on Financial Services concerning provisions in H. Res. 372 that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction, I agree to forego formal consideration of H. Res. 372 so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House floor. The Committee on Financial Services takes this action to forego formal consideration of H. Res. 372 with our mutual understanding that, by foregoing formal consideration of H. Res. 372 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or similar legislation. Finally, and consistent with your letter of May 30, 2019, I would request that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of H. Res. 372. Sincerely, Maxine Waters, Chairwoman. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC, May 30, 2019. Hon. Maxine Waters, Chairwoman, Committee on Financial Services, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Madam Chair: I am writing to you concerning H. Res. 372, Expressing concern for the United States-Turkey alliance. [[Page H4380]] I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this legislation. I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Financial Services. I acknowledge that the Committee will not seek a referral of or formally consider H. Res. 372 and agree that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in H. Res. 372 which fall within your Committee's Rule X jurisdiction. I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation and look forward to continuing to work with you as this measure moves through the legislative process. Sincerely, Eliot L. Engel, Chairman. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on Oversight and Reform, Washington, DC, June 7, 2019. Hon. Eliot Engel, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr.Chairman: I write concerning H. Res. 372, A Resolution Expressing Concern for the United States-Turkey Alliance. This resolution contains provisions within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Oversight and Reform. As a result of your having consulted with me concerning the provisions of the resolution that fall within our jurisdiction under Rule X, I agree to forgo consideration of the resolution so it may proceed expeditiously to the House floor. The Committee takes this action with our mutual understanding that by forgoing consideration of H. Res. 372, we do not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and we will be appropriately consulted and involved as the resolution or similar legislation moves forward so we may address any remaining issues within our Rule X jurisdiction. Further, I request your support for the appointment of conferees from the Committee on Oversight and Reform during any House-Senate conference on this or related legislation. Finally, I would appreciate a response confirming this understanding and ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the bill report filed by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, as well as in the Congressional Record during floor consideration thereof. Sincerely, Elijah E. Cummings, Chairman. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC, May 30, 2019 Hon. Elijah E. Cummings, Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning H. Res. 372, Expressing concern for the United States-Turkey alliance. I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this legislation. I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Oversight and Reform. I acknowledge that the Committee will not seek a referral of or formally consider H. Res. 372 and agree that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in H. Res. 372 which fall within your Committee's Rule X jurisdiction. I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation and look forward to continuing to work with you as this measure moves through the legislative process. Sincerely, Eliot L. Engel, Chairman. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC, June 3, 2019. Hon. Eliot L. Engel, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Engel, I am writing with respect to H. Res. 372, ``Expressing concern for the United States-Turkey alliance.'' As a result of your having consulted with us on provisions on which the Committee on Ways and Means has a jurisdictional interest, I will not request a sequential referral on this measure. The Committee on Ways and Means takes this action with the Mutual understanding that we do not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and the Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as the bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues within our jurisdiction. Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming this understanding, and would ask that a copy of our exchange of letter on this matter be included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of H. Res. 372. Sincerely, Richard E. Neal, Chairman. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC, May 30, 2019. Hon. Richard Neal, Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning H. Res. 372, Expressing concern for the United States-Turkey alliance. I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this legislation. I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means. I acknowledge that the Committee will not seek a referral of or formally consider H.Res. 372 and agree that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in H. Res. 372 which fall within your Committee's Rule X jurisdiction. I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation and look forward to continuing to work with you as this measure moves through the legislative process. Sincerely, Eliot L. Engel, Chairman. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC, May 31, 2019. Hon. Eliot Engel, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Engel: This is to advise you that the Committee on the Judiciary has now had an opportunity to review the provisions in H. Res. 372, Expressing concern for the United States-Turkey alliance, that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction. I appreciate your consulting with us on those provisions. The Judiciary Committee has no objection to your including them in the resolution for consideration on the House floor, and to expedite that consideration is willing to waive sequential referral, with the understanding that we do not thereby waive any future jurisdictional claim over those provisions or their subject matters. In the event a House-Senate conference on this or similar legislation is convened, the Judiciary Committee reserves the right to request an appropriate number of conferees to address any concerns with these or similar provisions that may arise in conference. Please place this letter into the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this matter and others between our committees. Sincerely, Jerrold Nadler, Chairman. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC, May 30, 2019. Hon. Jerrold Nadler, Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning H. Res. 372, Expressing concern for the United States-Turkey alliance. I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this legislation. I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on the Judiciary. I acknowledge that the Committee will not seek a referral of or formally consider H. Res. 372 and agree that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in H. Res. 372 which fall within your Committee's Rule X jurisdiction. I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation and look forward to continuing to work with you as this measure moves through the legislative process. Sincerely, Eliot L. Engel, Chairman. Mr. McCAUL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution that Chairman Engel and I introduced because of our serious concerns regarding the United States-Turkey alliance. Turkey has been a member of NATO for almost 70 years. Through our bilateral and multilateral relationship, we have worked together to advance our shared objectives. However, I am deeply disturbed and concerned that our relationship is increasingly characterized by bumps in the road. And right now, we are all watching as Turkey stands at a fork in the road. This summer, Turkey is scheduled to obtain the Russian S-400 defense system. Purchasing the S-400 would have unavoidable negative consequences for U.S.-Turkey relations. By law, the purchase would trigger congressionally-mandated sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions law. The purchase also puts at risk Turkish participation in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter [[Page H4381]] Program and broader security cooperation, including future U.S. arms sales. The F-35 program promotes NATO interoperability. And Turkey's decision to complete the purchase of the S-400 would erode its partnership in this multilateral alliance. While we are deeply, deeply concerned about our alliance with Turkey, we very much want to rehabilitate our relationship. Both sides of a bilateral partnership need to take steps toward strengthening and preserving it. That is why this resolution expresses full support for the United States Government's offer to sell Turkey the Patriot system if Turkey does not acquire the S-400. We want to give Turkey the ability to accommodate its security needs without endangering its place in NATO. So Turkey really has a clear binary choice between buying Russian S- 400s and the U.S. offer to accelerate the delivery of Patriot missiles. So I call upon Turkey to now step forward and choose the United States and NATO over Russia. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I don't have any speakers on this side. I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. McCAUL. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis). Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 372, Expressing Concern for the United States-Turkey Alliance. Turkey has failed in its basic NATO responsibility to safeguard the freedom and security of NATO allies, both politically, and militarily. Turkey has bullied and continues to bully the U.S. and NATO allies around the world, in particular, Greece and Cyprus. Meanwhile, Turkey has grown ever closer in diplomatic and military ties to the authoritarian regimes of Russia and Iran, sowing international instability, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean, Madam Speaker, which is why I joined my colleagues in introducing H.R. 91, to reaffirm the robust commitment of the House of Representatives to the importance of the United States, Israel, Greece, and Cyprus partnership. The Russian S-400 missile defense system is in no way interoperable with NATO's defense systems and represents a dangerous vulnerability to the F-35 program in the event an S-400 system user learns how to target lock F-35s and shares that knowledge with other international bad actors. We can't take that chance. Rewarding an international bad actor with F-35s, one of the most sophisticated articles of U.S. military technology, while they imprison and orchestrate brazen acts of violence against U.S. citizens, threaten U.S. allies and their sovereignty, and violate international law, sends the wrong message to the enemies of freedom and stability around the world. The clock has nearly struck midnight on the U.S.-Turkey relationship, and the time has come for Turkey to choose whether it will stand with the United States and NATO or fall with revisionist powers like Russia and China. In closing, Madam Speaker, I would like to applaud my good friends, Chairman Engel and Ranking Member McCaul, along with Leaders Hoyer and McCarthy and the leadership of both the House Appropriations and Judiciary Committees, who made this possible. I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution. Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time. Mr. McCAUL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me just say this: Chairman Engel and I met with the Foreign Minister of Turkey and their Ambassador trying to avoid this impasse, this choice between Russia and the United States. And Chairman Engel and I talked about this alliance that we have with them. Nearly 70 years ago, NATO and the United States stood with Turkey against growing Soviet aggression. In fact, that is the reason NATO was formed in the first place. That is why we have Incirlik Air Force Base in Turkey. And yet, the idea that Turkey would break from this alliance and choose Russia over the United States, truly, is a defining moment for Turkey. I hope they are listening to this debate as we speak right now. They still have time to salvage this, what I consider to be an error in judgment of choosing Russia over NATO and the United States of America. That is why this resolution is so important. It sends a very strong message to Erdogan and to Turkey, that we are not going to allow this to happen; and, in fact, it would run afoul of the sanctions that we passed almost overwhelmingly in the House and Senate against Russia. It would sort of violate the Russia sanctions law. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Engel for his strong bipartisan support on this issue. We are on the right side of history, and I urge my colleagues to support this. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. Once again, I am pleased to support this bipartisan measure that strengthens our security policy in Europe. I thank Ranking Member McCaul and all of the other chairs and ranking members of important committees who have stood by us on this bill. It is really a Congress speaking with one voice in a very bipartisan fashion for something that is really very important. Today's resolution reaffirms the historic partnership between the United States and Turkey, and it lays the groundwork for how Erdogan can start to put this relationship back on the right track. We cannot stand by as he turns this NATO ally into an authoritarian regime aligned with Vladimir Putin. So I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 372. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________
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