U.S.A. SENATE SOUNDLY REJECTS PROPOSAL TO HALT AID TO EGYPT IN TRANSITION TO DEMOCRATIC CONSTITUTIONAL FORM OF GOVERNANCE

U.S.A. SENATE SOUNDLY REJECTS PROPOSAL TO HALT AID TO EGYPT IN TRANSITION TO DEMOCRATIC CONSTITUTIONAL FORM OF GOVERNANCE

Townhall, July 31, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has roundly rejected a proposal to redirect U.S. aid for Egypt into bridge-building projects in the United States.

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky's amendment to next year's transportation bill would have halted the $1.5 billion in mainly military assistance the U.S. provides Egypt each year. He cited the U.S. law prohibiting aid after military coups and the need to reinvest the money in the United States.

The Senate voted 86-13 against Paul's proposal Wednesday.

Many Democrats and Republicans in Congress see continued aid to Egypt as critical to its stability and neighboring Israel's security.

For those reasons, the Obama administration is refusing to call the Egyptian army's July 3 overthrow of Mohammed Morsi a coup.