The $235 million decision was expected shortly, according to two additional sources with knowledge of the situation, and the $85 million was being held back.
Due to Cairo’s inability to release an adequate amount of political prisoners, the United States has chosen to withhold $85 million in military aid to Egypt. A US senator on Wednesday urged the US to withhold $235 million more.
“The administration rightly decided to withhold that first tranche – $85 million tied to the release of political prisoners – because there’s just no question there has not been enough progress,” Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat, said on the Senate floor. “I would urge the administration to finish the job and withhold the full $320 million … until Egypt’s human rights and democracy record improves,” the senator added.
