Action Alert: Senate Vote on Foreign Aid Thursday! (Updated)

As early as noon Thursday, the Senate will vote on Senator Paul's amendment to stop the sale of F-16s, tanks, and other military hardware to Egypt.

Recent news reports abound about the current unstable political environment in Egypt, and it's simply irresponsible for the Senate to authorize sending these weapons into an environment where they could easily be turned against us and our allies.

The government shouldn't be involved in providing foreign aid to begin with, but even if it were, arming the Muslim Brotherhood wouldn't pass the smell test.

It's vital C4L members take action immediately and tell their senators to vote YES on Senator Paul's amendment to H.R 325.

This vote could come anytime after 12pm ET so it's important to act fast!

Let your senators know that while they ought to be voting to cut off ALL foreign aid, they can start by showing common sense and preventing the irresponsible proliferation of weapons to Egypt.

The text of Senator Paul's amendment is below:

PURPOSE: To prohibit the sale, lease, transfer, retransfer, or delivery of F–16 aircraft, M1 tanks, or certain other defense articles or services to the Government of Egypt.

AMENDMENT intended to be proposed by Mr. PAUL

Viz:

PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN MILITARY SALES TO EGYPT

(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the United States Government shall not license, approve, facilitate, or otherwise allow the sale, lease, transfer, retransfer, or delivery of F–16 aircraft, M1tanks, or other defense articles or services listed in Category VI, VII, or VIII of the United States Munitions List to the Government of Egypt.

(b) UNITED STATES MUNITIONS LIST DEFINED.—

In this section, the term ‘‘United States Munitions List’’ means the list referred to in section 38(a)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2778(a)(1)), as in effect on January 1, 2013.

By a vote of 79-19, the Senate voted to kill Paul's common-sense amendment to prevent aircraft, tanks, and other military hardware from being sent to Egypt.

Since this was a "motion to table," or kill, the amendment, if your senators are listed as voting "YES," they voted against Rand's amendment.

As Senator Paul has made it clear, the government is fueling an arms race in the Middle East. It's time to put a stop to it.

Be sure to let your senators know this isn't the last time they'll be voting on foreign aid this Congress, and you expect next time they'll allow reason to trump the status quo by voting to end ALL foreign aid.

Find out how your senators voted here.

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