Bill Summary
The "Protecting NATO Skies Act of 2019" is a bill that aims to limit the transfer of F-35 aircraft to Turkey. This means that no funds can be used to transfer or authorize the transfer of these aircraft to Turkey, to provide necessary intellectual property or technical data for maintenance and support of the aircraft, or to construct a storage facility for the aircraft in Turkey. The only exception to this limitation is if the President certifies in writing to Congress that the Turkish government does not plan to buy the S-400 air defense system from Russia. The bill also states that if Turkey does purchase the S-400 system, it would have negative implications for the NATO alliance, US military operations, and defense cooperation between the US and Turkey. The President is urged to enforce sanctions on any individual or entity involved in such a purchase, in accordance with the Countering Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017.
Possible Impacts
1. Limited military capabilities - The bill would prevent Turkey from acquiring F-35 aircraft and associated technology, limiting their military capabilities and potentially hindering their ability to defend their country.
2. Strained international relationships - The act would cause tensions between the US and Turkey and potentially other NATO allies, as it limits the transfer of aircraft to a member state. This could impact diplomatic relationships and cause strain within the alliance.
3. Economic impact - The bill could also have economic consequences for both the US and Turkey, as it restricts the transfer of funds and materials related to the F-35 aircraft. This could affect the economies of both countries and potentially impact trade and business relationships.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3263 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3263
To limit the transfer of F-35 aircraft to Turkey.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 13, 2019
Mr. Cicilline (for himself, Mr. Aderholt, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Pallone,
Mr. Sarbanes, Ms. Speier, and Ms. Titus) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition
to the Committees on Financial Services, Oversight and Reform, Ways and
Means, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To limit the transfer of F-35 aircraft to Turkey.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting NATO Skies Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. LIMITATION ON TRANSFER OF F-35 AIRCRAFT TO TURKEY.
(a) In General.--Except as provided under subsection (b), no funds
may be obligated or expended--
(1) to transfer, facilitate the transfer, or authorize the
transfer of, an F-35 aircraft to the Republic of Turkey;
(2) to transfer intellectual property or technical data
necessary for or related to any maintenance or support of the
F-35 aircraft; or
(3) to construct a storage facility for, or otherwise
facilitate the storage in Turkey of, an F-35 aircraft
transferred to Turkey.
(b) Exception.--The President may waive the limitation under
subsection (a) upon a written certification to Congress that the
Government of Turkey does not plan or intend to accept delivery of the
S-400 air defense system.
(c) Transfer Defined.--In this section, the term ``transfer''
includes the physical relocation outside of the continental United
States.
(d) Applicability.--The limitation under subsection (a) does not
apply to F-35 aircraft operated by the United States Armed Forces.
SEC. 3. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS ON PURCHASE BY TURKEY OF S-400 AIR
DEFENSE SYSTEM.
It is the sense of the Congress that, if the Government of Turkey
purchases the S-400 air defense system from the Russian Federation--
(1) such a purchase would constitute a significant
transaction within the meaning of section 231(a) of the
Countering Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017
(title II of Public Law 115-44; 22 U.S.C. 9525(a));
(2) such a purchase would endanger the integrity of the
NATO alliance;
(3) such a purchase would adversely affect ongoing
operations of the United States Armed Forces, including
coalition operations in which the United States Armed Forces
participate;
(4) such a purchase would result in a significant impact to
defense cooperation between the United States and Turkey;
(5) such a purchase would significantly increase the risk
of compromising United States defense systems and operational
capabilities; and
(6) the President should faithfully execute the Countering
Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017 by imposing
and applying sanctions under section 235 of that Act (22 U.S.C.
9529) with respect to any individual or entity determined to
have engaged in such significant transaction as if such person
were a sanctioned person for purposes of such section.
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