California Congressman Adam Schiff wants to cut and revamp aid to Egypt as a retaliatory move for what he calls the country's "absolutely unacceptable" decision to jail three Al-Jazeera English journalists.
The Los Angeles Democrat, who co-chairs the Congressional Caucus for the Freedom of the Press, said journalism isn't a crime.
"Reporters must be allowed to report the news, regardless of whether the government agrees with their editorial decisions or not," he said in a statement. "Journalism should be celebrated as an expression of a country’s devotion to freedom of information and democracy, and this is not the way a democracy, or even a country in transition back to a democracy, should act."
Egypt receives $1.3M in US military aid and $250M in economic assistance.
The House Appropriations Committee, of which Schiff is a member, today maintained the current level of funding.
The Congressman wanted to cut the aid package by least 33 percent.
Jun. 25, 2014, by Yousrhamza
Go to hell! We are sick and tired of your double standards .... The US has lot every credibility in the Arab world