[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 108 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 108

 Reaffirming the commitment of the United States to the United States-
                           Egypt partnership.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 3, 2017

   Mr. Cardin (for himself, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Young, and Mr. 
Menendez) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                     Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Reaffirming the commitment of the United States to the United States-
                           Egypt partnership.

Whereas after almost four decades of close cooperation, the United States-Egypt 
        partnership has been built on shared objectives and interests with 
        enduring bipartisan support in Congress;
Whereas the Government and people of Egypt play a critical role in global and 
        regional politics;
Whereas the United States-Egypt partnership is vital for the peace, stability, 
        and prosperity of the Middle East;
Whereas Egypt has been an intellectual and cultural center of the Arab world, 
        and continues to be an important country based on its geography, 
        demography, and historic leadership role;
Whereas Egypt remains one of the top recipients of United States foreign 
        assistance worldwide, having received $77,000,000,000 in bilateral 
        foreign aid from the United States, including $1,300,000,000 per year in 
        military aid;
Whereas Egypt's 1979 peace treaty with Israel remains one of the most 
        significant diplomatic achievements for the promotion of Arab-Israeli 
        peace;
Whereas for almost forty years, Egypt, Israel, and the United States have 
        collaborated to counter terrorism, prevent illicit smuggling, and 
        enhance regional stability;
Whereas the United States has welcomed Egypt's participation in the Global 
        Coalition to Counter ISIS;
Whereas Egypt and the United States held a Strategic Dialogue in Cairo, Egypt, 
        on August 2, 2015, based on the shared commitment to deepen the 
        bilateral relationship;
Whereas Egypt can play an important role in facilitating negotiated settlements 
        to end the conflicts in Libya, Syria, and Yemen, restarting the Middle 
        East Peace Process, and defeating ISIS;
Whereas the Egyptian people continue to be the victims of heinous terrorist 
        attacks, including the December 11, 2016, ISIS bombing of the Saint 
        Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, which killed 28 people including women 
        and children;
Whereas the Government of Egypt reached an agreement with the International 
        Monetary Fund in November 2016 to take important steps toward economic 
        stabilization, such as liberalizing its foreign exchange system and 
        reducing costly fuel subsidies;
Whereas President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, in a televised interview on September 
        16, 2016, said that he is very committed to preserving human rights in 
        Egypt and that Egypt will not return to tyranny;
Whereas the Department of State's 2016 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 
        notes, with respect to Egypt, that--

    (1) ``[t]he most significant human rights problems were excessive use 
of force by security forces, deficiencies in due process, and the 
suppression of civil liberties'';

    (2) ``[t]here were numerous reports that the government [of Egypt] or 
its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings while making arrests or 
holding persons in custody'';

    (3) ``[c]onditions in the prisons and detention centers were harsh and 
potentially life-threatening due to overcrowding, physical abuse, 
inadequate medical care, poor infrastructure, and poor ventilation''; and

    (4) ``[s]everal international and local human rights groups . . . 
reported a spike in enforced disappearances [in Egypt], alleging 
authorities increasingly relied on this tactic to intimidate critics'';

Whereas credible local organizations estimate that thousands of people are 
        detained solely for political reasons in Egypt, including for peacefully 
        protesting or calling for a change in government;
Whereas in March 2017, President el-Sisi pardoned 203 prisoners many of whom had 
        been jailed for taking part in protests;
Whereas United States citizen Aya Hijazi, her husband Mohammed Hassanein, and 
        other members of the Belady Foundation have been unjustly imprisoned in 
        Egypt since May 2014;
Whereas the Parliament of Egypt's passage of legislation restricting the work of 
        nongovernmental organizations undermines Egypt's stated commitment to 
        protecting constitutionally guaranteed rights and to furthering Egypt's 
        democratic transition;
Whereas the media is regularly harassed by Egyptian authorities and Egypt was 
        the world's third-highest jailer of journalists in 2016, according to 
        the Committee to Protect Journalists;
Whereas respect for democracy, inclusive governance, human rights, and civil 
        liberties have been core pillars of United States foreign policy since 
        at least the 1970s;
Whereas Egypt will ensure its security, economic prosperity, and transition to 
        democracy by protecting the constitutionally guaranteed rights of all 
        Egyptians; and
Whereas the last official visit to the United States by an Egyptian head of 
        state was in August 2009: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) welcomes Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to the 
        United States;
            (2) expresses hope that President el-Sisi's visit will open 
        a new chapter in United States-Egyptian relations as both sides 
        pledge to work toward greater cooperation based on shared 
        interests and values;
            (3) acknowledges the central and historic importance of the 
        United States-Egypt partnership in advancing the common 
        interests of both countries;
            (4) hopes that President el-Sisi will highlight in public 
        statements the value of ties between the United States and 
        Egypt;
            (5) recognizes that Egypt faces legitimate security threats 
        and expresses condolences for the loss of life suffered by the 
        Egyptian people in attacks by violent extremist organizations;
            (6) stands with the Egyptian people as they confront 
        violent extremism and threats on land and sea borders;
            (7) appreciates Egypt's regional role as a partner and 
        mediator;
            (8) recognizes the necessity for Egypt's leaders to take 
        steps toward genuine political reform that prioritizes human 
        rights, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law;
            (9) demands the immediate release of unjustly imprisoned 
        American citizens, including Aya Hijazi, who has been detained 
        in Egypt since May 2014 on unsubstantiated charges;
            (10) demands an immediate end to the harassment and 
        interference in the operations of independent civil society and 
        media organizations in Egypt, including the closure of Case 173 
        and the revision of Egypt's nongovernmental organization law in 
        accordance with international best practices;
            (11) encourages the United States and Egypt to increase 
        cooperation--
                    (A) to combat terrorism in a manner consistent with 
                international human rights law;
                    (B) to promote principles of good governance; and
                    (C) to ensure respect for the universal rights of 
                the Egyptian people;
            (12) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to 
        support the Government of Egypt with assistance, training, and 
        other resources as it combats terrorism, addresses security in 
        the Sinai Peninsula, and enhances Egypt's border security and 
        maritime security while recognizing the need to monitor 
        security assistance to ensure accountability and due process of 
        law;
            (13) clarifies that any proposed restructuring of United 
        States assistance to Egypt, which is subject to the approval of 
        Congress, will take into account progress on meaningful 
        political reform, human rights, and fundamental freedoms;
            (14) congratulates the Egyptian government on their 
        engagement with the International Monetary Fund and their 
        difficult, but necessary, steps to stabilize the economy;
            (15) supports Egypt's economic reform efforts;
            (16) calls on the United States Government to develop a new 
        strategy for joint efforts--
                    (A) to bolster trade between the United States and 
                Egypt and investment in the Egyptian private sector;
                    (B) to combat corruption; and
                    (C) to promote higher education; and
            (17) urges the President of the United States and the 
        Secretary of State to engage the Egyptian Government on new 
        ways to advance the bilateral relationship economically, 
        militarily, diplomatically, and through cultural exchanges, 
        while ensuring respect for the universal rights of the Egyptian 
        people.
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