Congress still on track to give Egypt $1.3 billion in military aid this year

The foreign aid spending bill announced Friday also provides up to $250 million in economic assistance to Egypt “with the understanding that the government will undertake significant economic and democratic reforms,” according to a statement released by Texas Republican Kay Granger, chairwoman of the House appropriations subcommittee on foreign operations.

Under the aid bill, Israel is also to be fully funded with the $3b. in military aid it is due in 2011 under a memorandum signed by the two countries, as well as with increases to missile defense programs proposed last year, totaling $415m. Of that, $205m. will be a first-time allocation to the Iron Dome short-range missile defense program, with the balance going to the Arrow long-range system and David’s Sling medium-range project.