New Senate panel chair Cardin blocks $235 million in Egypt military aid over human rights concerns
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New Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Sen. Ben Cardin is blocking $235 million in controversial military aid for Egypt.
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Cardin's decision follows backlash over the State Department using a waiver to bypass restrictions on the aid tied to Egypt's human rights record.
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The aid hold comes after the previous chairman, Sen. Bob Menendez, was indicted over alleged bribes to help Egypt get military aid.
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Cardin said Egypt's record on human rights, governance, and rule of law must improve for the bilateral relationship to continue.
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Cardin intends to block future military aid and arms sales to Egypt without meaningful human rights progress.