Hudson announces Turkey sanctions bill

U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, R-8, announced Thursday that he plans to join his colleagues to introduce legislation to impose severe sanctions on Turkey after that country launched military operations in northern Syria against U.S.-allied Kurdish forces.

“I am sickened by Turkey’s attack on our Kurdish allies,” Hudson said. “This invasion is a direct threat to our national security, and it will pave the way for ISIS to re-emerge. (Turkish President Recep) Erdogan needs to back down and stop these atrocities or he’ll be met with crippling sanctions.”

Hudson and a group of representatives led by House GOP Conference Chairwoman Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., plan to introduce legislation to impose sanctions against Turkey in response to Ankara’s military offensive. The move follows a similar effort led by Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., in the Senate.

Earlier last week, Hudson voiced concern after the announcement the United States would withdraw troops from northern Syria.

“I have very serious concerns with this decision and the grave consequences for our national security,” Hudson said. “A premature withdrawal of U.S. forces from the region would create a power vacuum and embolden terrorists to thrive and grow. Further, it would be an abandonment of our Kurdish allies who played a critical role in destroying the ISIS caliphate. I have expressed these concerns to the president on several occasions and look forward to more clarity on the administration’s plans going forward.”