The annual decision about aid to Egypt — a product of legislation imposing rights-related conditions on a $320 million share of the aid — is seen a barometer of the U.S. government’s approach to dealing with authoritarian countries, where the desire to promote American values and other interests often collide.

It comes, too, as the Biden administration leans heavily on Egypt in its effort to end Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip, a top priority for President Joe Biden as he enters is final months in office. The government of President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi has played a key role in attempts to broker a cease-fire between Israel and the Hamas militant group that has long controlled the Palestinian enclave bordering Egypt.

But Sisi’s government also has a track record — according to the State Department itself — of torture, extrajudicial killings, jailing dissidents, suppressing free speech and other problematic practices.

Sisi, a former general seized power following a 2013 coup, won reelection late last year in a process that “barred any significant challengers from participating,” according to Freedom House, and saw the arrests and intimidation of political opponents.

“This decision is important to advancing regional peace and Egypt’s specific and ongoing contributions to U.S. national security priorities, particularly to finalize a cease-fire agreement for Gaza, bring the hostages home, surge humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in need, and help bring an enduring end to the Israel-Hamas conflict,” the State Department said in its statement.

The decision to give Egypt the full aid package required Secretary of State Antony Blinken to exercise a waiver on a $225 million portion that was subject to broad human rights conditions. To let allow Egypt access a separate $95 million share, Blinken was required to certify to Congress that Egypt was “making clear and consistent progress in releasing political prisoners, providing detainees with due process, and preventing the harassment and intimidation of American citizens,” the statement says.

Nowhere in its statement did the State Department indicate that it believes Egypt’s rights record has improved.

“We’ve reiterated with partners in Egypt that more action is needed and expected to build on this trajectory to further strengthen our relationship,” the State Department, referencing Egypt’s support for efforts to end fighting in Sudan, another of its neighbors gripped by violence.

In past years the Biden administration has put money withheld from Egypt toward other priorities including Taiwan.

The Egyptian embassy in Washington did not immediately provide a comment.

The decision is likely to anger liberals in Congress who think the Biden administration could more effectively balance human rights and other priorities in its ties with Egypt.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee for Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism, expressed frustration Wednesday over the administration’s decision, which he said is supposed to be “tied to broader improvements on democracy and human rights.”

“It’s no secret that Egypt remains a deeply repressive autocratic state,” Murphy said in a statement. “We have previously withheld this portion of Egypt’s military aid package, while still maintaining our strategic relationship, and we should continue to do so.”

In previous years since Biden took office, lawmakers have blocked additional military aid to Egypt, worth a total of $310 million.

Seth Binder, advocacy director at the Middle East Democracy Center, condemned the decision “to certify human rights progress where none exists.”

“Congress needs to now step in and uphold U.S. law by blocking the release of this military aid,” he said.

Former president Donald Trump, who is running against Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed Biden, once called Sisi his “favorite dictator.”