Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Bob Menendez, D-N.J., have proposed a bill that would require congressional oversight of the sale of U.S. military systems to foreign governments.
The introduction of the Secure F-35 Exports Act of 2021 comes as the White House looks to proceed with an estimated $23 billion foreign military sale of F-35 fighter jets and drones to the United Arab Emirates, Feinstein’s office said Friday.
“I remain concerned with the implications of a sale of our most advanced fighter jet given numerous outstanding, unanswered questions about the implications of this sale for U.S. national security, our technology interests, and implications for regional stability including the legal parameters of Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge,” said Menendez.
“This legislation lays out the types of assurances and commitments the United States must have to safeguard this sale,” Menendez added.
The bill would require the president to submit to Congress a full assessment of the risks posed by a particular sale, export or transfer to U.S. security, certify that the provision of the F-35 aircraft to a Middle Eastern country will not compromise Israel’s QME and establish technology security measures prior to delivery, among other provisions.
