WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism, released the following statement on the Biden administration’s decision to send $225 million in U.S. aid to Egypt despite its failure to make meaningful improvements on human rights and democracy – a condition that Congress placed on the aid.

“This decision waives requirements on an additional $225 million of military aid to Egypt that is tied to broader improvements on democracy and human rights. It’s no secret that Egypt remains a deeply repressive autocratic state, and I see no good reason to ignore that fact by waiving these requirements. 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.”

Murphy and Coons released a joint statement on the administration’s decision to send $95 million in U.S. aid to Egypt despite its failure to make clear and consistent progress on releasing political prisoners – another condition that Congress placed on the aid.

Last week, Murphy led 9 senators in urging the Biden administration to withhold the $320 million of Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to Egypt that Congress made contingent upon specific human rights conditions in the FY23 Appropriations Act. Murphy discussed Egypt’s continued failure to improve human rights conditions at a committee hearing in June.

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