Congress can’t find consensus on the fate of $1.5 billion that the United States gives to Egypt, with some saying keep the status quo and others saying, no, the America people should not be funneling money to a country that’s just underwent a military coup.
Sens. Bob Corker and Jack Reed said on “Fox News Sunday” that funding should continue. But Sen. John McCain said the aid should be cut back, and he’s generating a following on Capitol Hill among lawmakers who see the need to suspend payments.
“It was a coup,” Mr. McCain said, Newsmax reported. “And it was the second time in two-and-a-half years that we have seen the military step in. It’s a strong indicator of the lack of American leadership and influence.”
The White House, meanwhile, hasn’t yet declared the ouster of President Mohammed Morsi a military coup. Mr. Corker said Washington should tread slowly.
“It seems like Washington always wants to jump to something that really, in many cases, does not matter,” Mr. Corker said.
“The aid doesn’t flow on a daily basis. We’ll have plenty of time to assess that. It seems to me that what we should be looking at is how the military and how the country itself handles this transition.”
SEE ALSO: Ouster of Egypt’s Islamist president a product of army’s U.S. military training
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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