Congressman Buchanan Calls for Halt of U.S. Aid to Egypt

BRADENTON – U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan has called on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to immediately suspend U.S. aid to Egypt, saying “American taxpayer dollars should not be used to aid and abet any nation that stands with terrorists.” In the past week, newly-elected Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has openly sided with the terrorist group Hamas in its current conflict with Israel.

“Sending billions of hard earned American dollars to a country that supports Hamas is immoral,” said Buchanan. “This year alone, Hamas has orchestrated the firing of over 1,000 rockets and missiles into southern Israel. Yet Egypt openly allies itself with this terrorist group and publicly condemns Israel’s right to defend itself. It’s time to prove through our actions, not our words that Israel has our unwavering support.”

Politico reported Monday that “the Egyptian government clearly sides with Hamas in its current conflict with Israel. Egypt recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv, and Morsi castigated Israel for what he called 'wanton aggression on the Gaza Strip.' Neither he nor any other Egyptian official offered even glancing acknowledgment of the scores of rockets Hamas fired into Israel, igniting the current crisis…”

Since 1979, Egypt has been the second largest recipient of U.S. foreign assistance, receiving an average of $2 billion annually.  Last year, the U.S. also agreed to $1 billion in debt relief, in the hope of advancing a democratic transition.