Washington, DC — Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks again urged Secretary Blinken and the Biden Administration to pause a portion of the human rights-conditioned foreign military financing (FMF) for Egypt this year due to Egypt's failure to meet the criteria outlined in statute. 

“Today, I requested the State Department pause a portion of US military financing to Egypt that is conditioned on human rights criteria. Congress needs more clarity from the State Department on how concerns about treatment of political prisoners, journalists, as well as the rule of law are being tackled in our bilateral relationship.  

“Last month, as in 2021 and 2022, I called on Secretary Blinken to withhold the $320 million in military financing conditioned on human rights, but only $85 million was withheld. I'll continue to work to ensure human rights and national security are integral pillars of our foreign policy.” 

Ranking Member Meeks has consistently sought to ensure human rights are prioritized in our bilateral relationship with Egypt, including in his August 2023 letter and similar letters and statements in 2022 and 2021.  

Find the August letter here. 
 

Find Ranking Member Meeks’ prior letters and statements on U.S. assistance to Egypt and human rights concerns in September 2022 here and in 2021 here.