Congress threatens showdown over military aid to Egypt
Lawmakers in both the Senate and House warn against military aid to Egypt.
Key lawmakers of both parties are warning the Obama administration of serious consequences if it resumes aid to Egypt's military government, including Apache attack helicopters needed to fight al-Qaeda-inspired Islamists in the Sinai.
Secretary of State John Kerry told Congress last week that the State Department would make a decision "in the days ahead" and made it clear that his "hope" was to reopen the aid spigot before Egyptian presidential elections that could take place as soon as next month. Democrats and Republicans who control the government's purse strings vowed in turn to put their foot down unless Egypt makes clear progress toward democracy.
The Obama administration suspended aid after President Mohammed Morsi's ouster in July, bowing to pressure from critics in Congress.
"We've got a piece of the pie," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the top Republican on the appropriations panel on foreign aid. "I think our piece is the key, and I want to see Egypt move toward a civilian-controlled, democratically elected government."
