Republican lawmaker: halt US aid to Egypt

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Republican senator with presidential ambitions has introduced a bill to halt the $1.5 billion in annual U.S. aid to Egypt, the first such legislation since the military's overthrow of the government.

Several senators have urged the suspension of military and other funds for Egypt because of a U.S. law prohibiting foreign assistance after coups. But the Obama administration has defended the money as vital to U.S. l security interests.

Sen. Rand Paul says that the "law is clear when a coup takes place, foreign aid must stop."

The bill is unlikely to pass. Despite criticism of the military from some American lawmakers, many believe President Mohammed Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood-led government was taking Egypt down an increasingly undemocratic path.

The administration is hopeful civilian government will be restored in the coming months.