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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 29, 2024

Contact:Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343

WASHINGTON, D.C.Today, the U.S. Senate will vote on Senator Rand Pauls (R-KY) Joint Resolution of Disapproval,S.J.Res.60, to reject the Biden Administrations effort to provide Turkey with F-16 aircraft as part of an extensive arms deal. Dr. Paul introduced the resolution after the Biden Administration formally notified Congress of its intention to sell Turkey 40 new F-16s and modernize 79 existing F-16s, worth $23 billion.

Dr. Paul is expected to speak on the floor at approximately 3:05PM ET ahead of the 3:20PM ET vote.

It is crucial for Congress to assert its oversight authority regarding foreign military sales, especially when they involve significant arms transfers to nations with a record of disregarding human rights,said Dr. Paul. Turkeys President praised Hamas as a liberation group, Turkeys military fired at our troops in Syria, and Turkeys authorities imprison those who dare to criticize the leader. That doesnt sound like the actions of an ally deserving of $23 billion worth of American firepower.

Turkish President Erdogans brazen endorsement of Hamas as a liberation group following its heinous October 7th attack on Israel underscores disturbing advocacy for the terrorist organization. Additionally, the State Departments 2022 Human Rights Report for Turkey exposed grave violations, including arbitrary killings, torture, and the unjust detention of thousands, including journalists and political dissidents.Turkeys unwavering support for Azerbaijan in its brutal conflict against Nagorno-Karabakh resulted in widespread casualties and a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, displacing over 100,000 individuals. Turkey also procured Russian S-400 air and missile defense systems in 2019, despite strong U.S. protests.The decision prompted the United States to remove Turkey from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program due to concerns that the S-400 could expose stealth capabilities to Russian intelligence gathering.The United States subsequently imposed sanctions on Turkeys Defense Procurement Agency, which are still in place today. Furthermore, fellow NATO ally Greece accused Turkey of invading its airspace more than 10,000 times in 2022.President Erdogan even threatened to use military force against Greece. Given Turkeys egregious actions,Congress must demand unequivocal adherence to human rights and the rule of law before considering a $23 billion F-16 sale to Turkey.

The joint resolution put forward by Dr. Paul prohibits the sale of a myriad of weapons systems and aircraft, including but not limited to:

Read the full resolutionhere.

The U.S. Senate is poised to vote on Dr. Pauls Joint Resolution with the support of the following organizations:

Armenian Assembly of America

Armenian National Committee of America(ANCA)

Frontiers of Freedom Institute

America Matters

Friends Committee On National Legislation

Quincy Institute

American Moment

American Friends of Kurdistan

Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC)

Middle East Forum

In Defense of Christians

Christian Solidarity International

Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN)

Background:

Since first being elected to office, Dr. Rand Paul has taken decisive action by introducing thirty-two Joint Resolutions of Disapproval concerning proposed arms sales to nine foreign governments: Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Egypt, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Czech Republic, Georgia, and Pakistan.

Additionally, Dr. Pauladvanced standalone billsdesigned to ensure our foreign policy consistent with American principles, including the complete cessation of arms sales to Turkey, conditional military aid to Saudi Arabia contingent upon the Secretary of States confirmation of Jamal Khashoggis safety and liberty, the withholding of funds to support Islamic terrorist factions, and the imposition of restrictions on aid to Egypt until the President certifies the conduct of democratic elections after the 2013 coup.

Furthermore, Dr. Paul has proposed limitations on assistance to nations like Egypt, Libya, and Pakistan and has called for a prohibition on aid to Egypt until the President furnishes specific certifications concerning the treatment of nongovernmental organization (NGO) personnela testament to his commitment to upholding human rights and fostering stability through principled foreign policy measures.

Arms Sales Legislation and Resolutions:

S.J.Res. 60, JRD Turkey

S.J.Res. 56, JRD Egypt

S.J.Res. 55, JRD Egypt

S.J.Res. 54, JRD Egypt

S.J.Res. 53, JRD Saudi Arabia

S.J.Res. 59, JRD United Arab Emirates

S.J.Res 58, JRD Saudi Arabia

S.J.Res.53, JRD Australia

S.J.Res.52, JRD Egypt

S.J.Res.51, JRD Egypt

S.J.Res.50, JRD Egypt

S.J.Res.49, JRD Australia

S.J.Res.48, JRD Egypt

S.J.Res.44, JRD Bahrain

S.J.Res.36, JRD Egypt

S.J.Res.35, JRD Egypt

S.J.Res.31 , JRD Saudi Arabia

S.2624 A bill to prohibit arms sales to Turkey.

S.J.Res.26, JRD Qatar

S.J.Res.25, JRD UAE

S.J.Res 24., JRD Czech Republic

S.J.Res.23, JRD Czech Republic

S.J.Res.22, JRD Bahrain

S.J.Res.20, JRD Bahrain

S.J.Res.68, JRD Egypt

S.J.Res.67, JRD Egypt

S.J.Res.66, JRD Qatar

S.Res.204 A bill to prohibit military aid to Saudi Arabia until the Secretary of State determines that Jamal Khashoggi is alive and free.

S.J.Res.65, JRD Bahrain

S.J.Res.50, JRD Georgia

S.J.Res.42, JRD Saudi Arabia

S.532 Stop Arming Terrorists Act

S.J.Res.39, JRD Saudi Arabia

S.J.Res.31, JRD Pakistan

S.J.Res.30, JRD Pakistan

S.2477 Egyptian Military Coup Act of 2014

S.1278 Egyptian Military Coup Act of 2013

S.3576 A bill to provide limitations on US assistance (Libya, Egypt, Pakistan)

S.2327 A bill to prohibit direct foreign assistance to the Government of Egypt until the President makes specific certifications related to the treatment of nongovernmental organization workers.

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Read more:
Senate to Vote on Dr. Paul's Resolution Rejecting the Sale of U.S. Arms to Hamas Advocate - Senator Rand Paul