WASHINGTON (TUESDAY, April 29, 2014) -- Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Tuesday spoke on the Senate Floor, announcing that he is holding up the Administration's request to spend $650 million in military aid to Egypt.
Leahy chairs the Senate's State Department and Foreign Operations Subcommittee -- the Appropriations Committee panel that oversees the State Department's budget as well as foreign aid programs. In his role as chairman, Leahy has put a hold on the Administration's April 25 request to obligate $650 million in military assistance to Egypt that was provided under the Fiscal Year 2014 Appropriations bill enacted early this year. Leahy has led in writing current and previous congressional conditions on aid to the Egyptian Government.
"I'm not prepared to sign off on the delivery of additional aid for the Egyptian military. I'm not prepared to do that until we see convincing evidence the government is committed to the rule of law."
VIDEO includes Leahy's speech on the Senate Floor.
