Senator Cardin’s blocking of $235 million in military aid to Egypt is a much-needed step in halting US support for non-democratic, predatory and corrupt foreign governments. However, Senator Cardin’s funding block comes after the US State Department issued a waiver to allow Egypt to receive the aid despite Egypt’s systemic and persistent human rights violations. Senator Cardin’s action does not stop Egypt from receiving more than $1 billion in other U.S. military assistance provided to Egypt without condition.
As the government shutdown looms, Capt. Matthew Hoh offers a silver lining if Congress fails to meet the most basic constituent needs, as 2022 marks the highest one-year increase in the poverty rate:
“Successive Congresses and White Houses have massively funded the Pentagon and weapons industries. We outspend adversaries, maintain more than 95% of the world’s overseas military bases, and now export more weapons than we do agricultural products. Meanwhile, a failure to invest in healthcare, education, infrastructure and climate change response has weakened the American economy and limited potential growth and progress. The reality of US politicians consistently choosing to fund war over the welfare of the American people is creating a crisis outside of DC much larger than the politically constructed theater playing out in the Capitol.”
Washington, D.C. — Today, Eisenhower Media Network, a group of former high-ranking national security fellows, released an open letter appearing as a full-page ad in the New York Times, calling for a diplomatic end to the Russia-Ukraine war.