WASHINGTON — Republican lawmakers are split over whether the U.S. should cut off aid to Egypt amid spiraling violence.
Sen. John McCain renewed his call Sunday to curtail aid as the Egyptian military continues to crack down on protestors seeking the return of ousted President Mohammed Morsi. The Arizona Republican said continuing aid is not in line with U.S. values.
Republican Rep. Peter King of New York, however, said cutting off aid could reduce U.S. influence over Egypt’s interim government, where the military controls access to strategic resources, including the Suez Canal.
The split illustrates the difficult choices facing the Obama administration in Egypt, where crackdowns last week that left more than 600 people dead.
McCain spoke on CNN and King made his comments on “Fox News Sunday.”
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