WASHINGTON (AP) — Even as anti-American sentiment boils in Islamic countries like Egypt, lawmakers are moving to permit billions of dollars in foreign aid to be spent as part of a government-wide funding bill set to clear Congress this week.
In the case of Egypt, turmoil since the overthrow of U.S. ally, President Hosni Mubarak (HOHS'-nee moo-BAH'-rahk), early last year has meant long delays in releasing hundreds of millions of dollars in economic aid approved over the past several years.
A violent mob assault at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo certainly hasn't helped efforts to release already-approved funds, but White House Press Secretary Jay Carney on Tuesday denied a media report that said U.S. talks with Egypt on speeding release of the aid are on hold until after the election.
