The Senate Wednesday resounding rejected, 86-13, an effort by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., to cut off American aid, most of it military, to Egypt.
Paul's proposal would have ended the aid until Egypt holds democratic elections, and redirected the money to bridge building in the United States.
He asked colleagues if they would rather spend the money in Egypt or in this country? The answer was a resounding "Egypt."
"We tell other countries to follow the rule of law, yet our own Administration fails to do so. Sending money to Egypt under their current military coups is illegal," Paul said. "Instead of illegally sending that money overseas, we are better off spending that money at home."
While the United States may watch in horror at what's happening in Egypt, "If America doesn't try, we will pay a price as a nation,'' said Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C.
Added Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., "It's important to send a message to Egypt we're not abandoning them."
The Obama administration has not called the July 3 overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi a coup, which would have triggered a cutoff.