National Defense Authorization Act

Türkiye is closely followings developments regarding the United States' attempts to establish a new base and enhance its military presence on the Aegean islands, say sources from the Turkish Defense Ministry.

Over the last several years, July has been a key month for advancing a pro-Hellenic legislative agenda in the United States Congress. Given the August recess, July is extraordinarily busy as both houses of Congress try to pass their versions of two annual "must pass" bills - the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the Appropriations Act.

As part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the US House of Representatives approved an amendment Wednesday to examine a plan to expand the US military presence and construct bases on Greek islands.

US Representative Grace Meng, a Democrat representing New York City, and a member of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus and the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, has expressed her appreciation for the inclusion of her amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

US Senator and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Menendez, announced on Friday the introduction an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2024 that would extend the time required to renew the arms embargo on the Republic of Cyprus.

Two provisions that were set to restrict the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye in the U.S. Senate version of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) bill have been dropped, daily Hürriyet has reported on Oct. 11. 

The U.S. Senate removed the conditions during a 2023 defense budget meeting.

The US House of Representatives on Tuesday overwhelmingly backed a $740 billion defense policy bill that President Donald Trump has pledged to veto, heading toward a confrontation with the Republican president weeks before he is to leave office.

International pressure on Ankara aimed at containing its expansive foreign policy was further intensified this week with the US defense budget bill for 2021, which foresees sanctions against Turkey over its acquisition of Russian S-400 missiles. 

A defense bill approved by American lawmakers and announced on Thursday foresees sanctions against Turkey over its purchase of the S-400 missile system from Russia, including a ban on US banking and property transactions, the denial of US visas and forcing US lenders to deny loans to any sanctioned companies.

The US Senate Armed Services Committee said on Thursday it had authorized $9.1 billion to procure 95 F-35 aircraft in its version of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, an annual bill setting policy for the Department of Defense.