Ros-Lehtinen proposes conditioning foreign aid to Egypt

By Pete Kasperowicz - 12/14/12 12:42 PM ET

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) has introduced legislation that would condition U.S. aid to Egypt on government findings that this aid advances U.S. goals and interests in the region.

Her bill, H.R. 6657, reflects the concerns of many Republicans that Egypt's government under President Mohamed Morsi, who was part of the Muslim Brotherhood, is moving further away from democratic reforms. It would condition U.S. aid to Egypt on certification that Egypt is not controlled by a foreign terrorist organization, is transitioning to a free-market democratic government, has adopted legal reforms, and is implementing the Israel-Egypt Peace treaty.

"I am extremely concerned that Egypt has moved from one dictatorship to another while leaving democracy in the dust," she said Thursday. "Morsi has actively worked to suppress the voices of dissent and opposition in Egypt while incrementally increasing his own power."

She added that Egypt's upcoming constitutional referendum was drafted "almost entirely by Islamists, neglecting the interests of secular and Christian Egyptians."

Nonetheless, she said the Obama administration still supports giving Egypt $450 million in foreign aid.

"The foreign aid we spend overseas is meant to help our allies and promote our interests, and at the moment, it is unclear whether our aid to Egypt is accomplishing either of these goals," she said. "We must leverage our aid to Egypt to promote accountability, reform, respect for the rule of law and human rights.

"We cannot afford to be throwing good money after bad, nor is it in our interests to be funding those who undermine our values."

Earlier this week, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) said on the floor that even President Obama has declined to describe Egypt as an ally, but rather as a new government. Still, Gohmert noted that some in the administration support giving advanced F-16 fighter jets to Egypt.

While Ros-Lehtinen's bill would find support among Republicans, it was introduced with no co-sponsors. Ros-Lehtinen will chair the Foreign Affairs Committee until the end of the 112th Congress, but that committee will be led by Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.) in the next Congress.