On Friday, Congress was notified by the Obama administration that it would be sending $450 million to Egypt. This $450 million is part of a $1 billion package that Obama had pledged to Egypt in 2011 for debt forgiveness to the United States.
The administration however has met resistance.
The direction of Egypt’s course under the Muslim Brotherhood, its policies, local protests against the American Embassy located in Cairo and how the Obama administration has handled crisis in Islamic regions has left some wondering why the US continues to send aid.
Kay Granger, a Texan Republican who is chairwoman of the House appropriations subcommittee that is responsible for managing foreign aid, said that she would block this aid distribution.
The US relationship with Egypt “has never been under more scrutiny” than it is now. Granger goes on to say, “I am not convinced of the urgent need for this assistance and I cannot support it at this time”.
However, Hillary Clinton speaking in New York on Friday, indicated that the world should do more in supporting the regions that have experienced the ‘Arab Spring’ uprisings.
This debate comes at a time when Egypt is in an economic crisis. They are currently facing a $12 billion deficit in their budget.