Boise City Wire

BOISE, Idaho - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed his satisfaction with Turkey's ratification of Sweden's accession to NATO. However, he also raised concerns about the delay in this process, questioning Turkey's commitment to the alliance.

In a statement, Senator Risch stated, "After months of inaction, I am glad Turkey finally acted to bring Sweden into NATO. It’s unfortunate Sweden had to wait so long for this outcome. This long delay calls into question Turkey’s commitment to the alliance. I hope Turkey will choose to work closely and repair the damage this has created."

Senator Risch also addressed the issue of arms sales to Turkey. He revealed that he had approved the sale of F-16s to Turkey, but expressed his dissatisfaction with the State Department's lack of consistent communication with Congress regarding such sales. He emphasized the importance of Congress being fully informed and involved in the decision-making process. He stated, "Congress must have time and opportunity to do its due diligence, and I expect a return to regular order moving forward."

To address this concern, Senator Risch sent a letter to Secretary Blinken, reiterating his desire for the State Department to return to regular order on notifying Congress about arms sales. He emphasized the need for transparency and cooperation between the executive and legislative branches of the government.

It is evident that Senator Risch is committed to maintaining strong relationships and ensuring proper procedures are followed in matters related to NATO and arms sales. He believes that Turkey's ratification of Sweden's accession to NATO is a positive step, but also highlights the importance of addressing any concerns or doubts that may arise from delays in such processes.

The letter sent by Senator Risch to Secretary Blinken can be found [here](link to the letter).

As the discussions continue and actions are taken to strengthen NATO and ensure effective communication between the executive and legislative branches, it is clear that Senator Risch is actively advocating for the interests of the United States and its allies.