WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has notified Congress of her decision to waive democracy requirements on $1.3 billion in U.S. military aid to Egypt.
The State Department says Clinton sent the notification to Capitol Hill on Friday, a day after she briefed lawmakers on the decision.
The step has been criticized by some as ignoring democratic backsliding and human rights violations by Egypt's military leaders.
Congressional sources and a senior Obama administration official had confirmed the decision on Thursday.
Clinton determined that it was in the U.S. national interest to allow $1.3 billion in military assistance to flow. She also certified that Egypt is meeting its obligations to the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty, which frees up an additional $200 million in economic aid.

