Rep. Vern Buchanan introduces bill to suspend aid to Egypt

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan on Tuesday upped his campaign to hold the Egyptian government accountable for recent actions by introducing legislation to suspend aid to the country.

Here's the press release:

Congressman Vern Buchanan, R-FL, today introduced legislation to immediately suspend U.S. aid to Egypt saying, “American tax dollars must not be used to aid and abet any dictatorial regime that stands with terrorists.” 

The “Suspend Aid to Egypt” Act comes in response to Egypt’s public support of the terrorist group Hamas and Egyptian President Mohammad Morsi’s recent decree granting himself absolute power over his country’s Judiciary. 

“Sending billions of hard-earned American dollars to a country that supports Hamas is immoral and irresponsible,” said Buchanan. 

“America is drowning in a sea of debt.  We should not attempt to buy friends across the world that do not have our best interests in mind.  Egypt has proven unworthy of our tax dollars and until they do I am calling for the immediate suspension of U.S. aid to that country.” 

Specifically, Buchanan’s bill immediately and indefinitely suspends all military and foreign assistance to Egypt.  Despite turmoil in the region, the Obama Administration is moving ahead with billions of dollars in aid to Egypt. 

Since 1979, Egypt has been the second largest recipient of U.S. foreign assistance, receiving an average of $2 billion annually. 

Last year, following the uprisings that forced out President Mubarak, the White House agreed to provide Egypt with $1 billion in debt relief in the hope of advancing a democratic transition. 

Earlier this month, in an unprecedented power grab, President Morsi issued a decree granting himself absolute authority over his country’s judiciary.  Morsi has since rescinded the decree but has refused to cancel a referendum, scheduled for Saturday, on a controversial draft constitution. 

On September 11, 2012, protestors climbed the walls of the U.S. embassy in Cairo, Egypt, and desecrated the American flag in the absence of adequate protection from the Egyptian government.