[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 96 (Monday, June 10, 2019)]
[House]
[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.

                          ____________________