Senator Ben Cardin informed the Start Department that he would like to withhold over $200 million in military aid earmarked for Egypt over concerns about Cairo’s human rights abuses. The potential suspension comes after the former chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Bob Menendez, was indicted on charges that included accepting bribes to aid the Egyptian government.
On Tuesday, Cardin told Secretary of State Antony Blinken that he plans to place a hold on a portion of military aid for Cairo “until specific human rights progress is made.” Traditionally, the State Department has granted requests to withhold funds requested by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair.
Cardin became head of the committee after Senator Menendez was indicted last month. In the charges, the Department of Justice accused the New Jersey Senator of passing sensitive information about staff at the US Embassy in Cairo to the Egyptian government. The lawmaker is also alleged to have aided Cairo in securing military aid and weapons purchases from Washington. Menendez has denied the charges and has refused calls to resign from his Senate seat.
The US pledges to give Egypt $1.3 billion in annual military assistance. A portion of that aid, $300 million, is meant to be contingent on Cairo not committing significant human rights abuses. However, the State Department report on human rights in Egypt has annually reported systematic atrocities committed by Cairo. Despite the cruelty of the government headed by General Fattah al-Sisi, who rose to power in a violent military coup, the US has continued to provide military aid to Egypt.
The top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee backs Cardin’s plan. Rep. Gregory Meeks said he is pushing to withhold $320 million in military financing to Egypt.
Sisi has announced he would run for a third term as president. However, Egyptian elections are little more than a show. In the last election, Sisi’s lone opponent supported the general. The rest of the president’s political opposition was arrested or intimidated.
President Joe Biden explained to the American people that it is crucial to support democracies and oppose autocracy. The White House has used that message to press the American people into sending over $100 billion in aid to Ukraine. Support for Sisi, whom Donald Trump called “his favorite dictator,” is a glaring example of Biden directly opposing his own policy.
