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Senator Rand Paul Calls on President Obama to End Foreign Aid to Egypt Amid Growing Violence

Citing the expanding chaos in Egypt, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., says President Obama isn't going far enough in the U.S. response to reports that hundreds have died amid violent protests.The president rebuked the country's military leaders for its crackdown on demonstrators. In a brief press conference, Obama announced the U.S. is cancelling a joint military exercise with Egypt next month."While we want to sustain our relationship with Egypt, our traditional cooperation cannot continue as usual while civilians are being killed in the streets," Obama said.But for many this is a symbolic gesture that doesn't go far enough.Paul says the U.S. needs to cancel the $1.3 billion in foreign aid to Egypt, and admit the ouster of former President Mohammed Morsi was a military coup.From Paul's office: "While President Obama ‘condemns the violence in Egypt’, his Administration continues to send billions of taxpayer dollars to help pay for it. The law is very clear when a coup d’état takes place, foreign aid must stop, regardless of the circumstances. With more than 500 dead and thousands more injured this week alone, chaos only continues to grow in Egypt. So Mr. President, stop skirting the issue, follow the law, and cancel all foreign aid to Egypt."Last month, Paul proposed an amendment to stop military foreign assistance to Egypt.The senator argues the Obama administration is violating U.S. law by providing assistance to a foreign country that has experienced a military coups d'état.