Congress siding with Egyptian protesters

Ros-Lehtinen went further by saying she fears the violence in Egypt might be manipulated by “extremist elements inside Egypt,” and said the U.S. and other countries “must work together to support the pursuit of freedom, democracy and human rights in Egypt and throughout the world.”

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-Mass.) called on the government to “exercise restraint in dealing with protesters and to respect the human rights of its citizens to seek greater participation in their own government. The Egyptian government also should immediately restore communications and access to social networking sites.”

“We know that repression will not remedy the problems that leave people in Egypt and across the Middle East feeling hopeless and frustrated,” Kerry added. “In the final analysis, it is not with rubber bullets and water cannons that order will be restored.”

The government’s control of the Internet brought a reaction from Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). “I join President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton in voicing strong support for the fundamental right of freedom of expression and assembly for the Egyptian people, and in urging the Egyptian Government not to block access to internet communications, including online social media,” he said. “As the situation in Egypt continues to unfold, I urge all parties to refrain from using violence.”