Blumenthal: Condition future Egyptian aid on return to democracy

The Democratic lawmaker said that while aid for this fiscal year had been almost entirely distributed, the U.S. had an opportunity to leverage future funding.

“Looking forward, I think that the approach has to be to condition our future aid on specific steps toward the rule of law and return toward democracy, respect for minorities and women, and a more inclusive political process,” Blumenthal told “Fox News Sunday.”

{mosads}An Egyptian government spokesman said Saturday that 173 people had been killed and another 1,330 injured in fighting during the “Day of Rage” to protest the ouster of President Mohammed Morsi by the military in July, according to the Associated Press. 

Tensions have escalated in recent days as military forces have moved against Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated demonstrators concentrated in two sit-in camps in the streets of Cairo. 

President Obama said Thursday that he would cancel joint military exercises planned for September in response to the crackdown, which has left more than 600 dead. He also indicated further violence could lead to the revocation of the $1.3 billion in annual aid. 

“While we want to sustain our relationship with Egypt, our traditional cooperation cannot continue as usual when civilians are being killed in the streets and rights are being rolled back,” Obama said.

Still, Blumenthal cautioned against a complete revocation of aid, as has some Republicans have advocated, warning it could decrease American influence in Egypt and the region.

“I think we’ll find that aid we may withhold is compensated by aid that the Gulf states may provide,  even exceeding the amount of aid that we’re going to provide,” Blumenthal said.