By Patricia Zengerle
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Senate on Thursday soundly defeated an effort to cease the $23 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets and modernization kits to Turkey, which President Joe Biden‘s administration authorized after Turkey authorized Sweden’s becoming a member of the NATO alliance.
The Senate voted 79 to 13 towards a decision of disapproval of the sale launched by Republican Senator Rand Paul.
Earlier than the vote, Paul criticized Turkey’s authorities and stated permitting the sale would embolden its “misbehavior.” Backers of the sale stated it was vital for Washington to maintain its phrase to a NATO ally.
The Biden administration formally knowledgeable Congress on Jan. 26 of its intention to proceed with the sale of 40 Lockheed Martin F-16s and almost 80 modernization kits to Turkey, a day after Ankara totally accomplished ratification of the NATO membership of Sweden.
The sale had been held up for months over points together with Turkey’s refusal to approve Sweden’s accession to the navy alliance. Turkey first requested to make the acquisition in October 2021.
The U.S. Arms Export Management Act offers Congress the correct to cease a significant weapons sale by passing a decision of disapproval in each the Senate and the Home of Representatives. Though the legislation has been in impact for half a century, no such decision has each handed Congress and survived a presidential veto.
Sweden and Finland utilized to enter NATO after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Whereas Finnish membership was sealed final yr, Sweden’s bid had been held up by Turkey and Hungary. All NATO members have to approve purposes from international locations looking for to affix the alliance.
(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Enhancing by Jonathan Oatis)
