House ratchets up pressure on Egypt - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Bryant Harris

May 17, 2019

Egyptian Air Force holds an air show displaying F-16 aircrafts delivered to Egypt by U.S., as part of a military package that had been unfrozen earlier this year, in Cairo, Egypt, July 31, 2015. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih - GF20000010043 — The Egyptian air force holds an air show displaying F-16 aircraft delivered to Egypt by the United States as part of a military package, in Cairo, July 31, 2015. — REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih

After years of giving Egypt a pass on its human rights record, House lawmakers are starting to tighten the purse strings on Cairo.

The foreign aid spending bill for fiscal year 2020, which the House Appropriations Committee advanced 29-23 Thursday, contains language that would condition $260 million in annual military aid to progress on human rights and democracy. Egypt receives $1.3 billion in annual US military aid.

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Civil Society Defense/Security cooperation Human rights

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 04: (L-R) Rep. Kendra Horn (D-OK), Rep. Abby Finkenauer (D-IA), Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) and other House Democratic women prepare for a portrait in front of the U.S. Capitol January 04, 2019 in Washington, DC. The 116th Congress has the biggest number of female members ever while the number of Democratic women in the House has grown from 16 to 89 since 1989. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

House Democrats slash aid to Egypt

Bryant Harris

In Washington, reporting on Congress

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Robert Catalanotti (R), director, Exercises and Training Directorate J-7, U.S. Central Command arrives to take part in the "Eager Lion" military exercises at the Jordan-Saudi Arabia border, 260 km (162 miles) south of Amman June 5, 2014. Around 12,500 participants from 20 countries will take part in Eager Lion. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed (JORDAN - Tags: MILITARY POLITICS) - GM1EA651SJJ01

Congress cuts deal on Middle East aid package

Bryant Harris

In Washington, reporting on Congress

Apache helicopters fly over Tahrir Square during a protest to support the army, in Cairo July 26, 2013. Ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Mursi is under investigation for an array of charges including murder, the state news agency said on Friday, stoking tensions as opposing political camps took to the streets. Confirming the potential for bloodshed, two men were killed in confrontations in Egypt's second city Alexandria and a further 19 were hurt, Mena news agency reported. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh (EGYP

Congress presses Egypt on injured US citizen

Bryant Harris

In Washington, reporting on Congress

AH-64 Apache helicopters fly during a closing ceremony of the NATO-led military exercises "Noble Partner 2018" at Vaziani military base outside Tbilisi, Georgia August 15, 2018. REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze - RC148FDC7800

Key senator looks to block Apache sale to Egypt over injured American

Jack Detsch

Jack Detsch