Congress moves to block U.S. arms sales to Turkey

Congressional lawmakers have introduced two separate measures to prevent arms transfers to Turkey. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) introduced a resolution to block a $700 million sale of jet engines for Turkey's fighter aircraft program. Separately, Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Brad Sherman (D-CA) led a bipartisan letter to President Trump opposing Turkey's readmission to the F-35 fighter jet program.

Turkey was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 after purchasing Russian S-400 air defense systems. The lawmakers cited Ankara's military actions in Cyprus, disputes with Greece, and destabilizing behavior toward U.S. allies as reasons to maintain restrictions. The Armenian National Committee of America endorsed both Congressional actions, pointing to Turkey's role in Azerbaijan's military operations against Armenia.