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In a move that has drawn criticism from lawmakers, the Trump administration is reportedly exploring the possibility of bypassing Congress to approve a $750 million sale of F-110 jet engines to Türkiye. The proposed sale has raised concerns among some lawmakers, who argue that it would undermine the power of Congress to approve major military sales.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, the administration is considering using a rarely invoked authority known as the Presidential Drawdown of Excess Defense Articles (DAA) to bypass Congress and approve the sale. The DAA allows the president to draw down excess defense articles from existing stocks without Congressional approval, but it is typically used for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.
The proposed sale of the F-110 jet engines to Türkiye has been a source of contention among lawmakers, with Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) expressing strong objections to the plan. Meeks, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, has argued that the sale would undermine the administration’s efforts to hold Turkey accountable for its actions in Syria and elsewhere.
“I strongly object to any proposal to bypass Congress and approve this sale,” Meeks said in a statement. “The administration should work with Congress to ensure that this sale is approved on the merits, rather than trying to skirt the law.”
Despite the objections from lawmakers, the administration’s decision to consider bypassing Congress is seen as a reflection of the growing tensions between the US and its NATO ally, Turkey. Relations between the two countries have strained in recent years, particularly due to Turkey’s military intervention in Syria and its decision to purchase the Russian S-400 missile defense system.
The F-110 jet engine is used to power the F-15 fighter jet, which is part of the Turkish Air Force’s inventory. The sale of the engines would reportedly be valued at $750 million and would be contingent on the approval of the Turkish government.
The administration’s decision to consider bypassing Congress has raised concerns among lawmakers that the White House is attempting to bypass the constitutional authority of Congress to approve major military sales. The proposed sale has been under review since last year, but the Trump administration has not yet made a final decision on whether to approve or reject the deal.
As the debate over the sale continues to unfold, lawmakers are calling on the administration to work with Congress to ensure that any decision to approve the sale is made through a transparent and lawful process.