Discover the rationale behind the US decision to deny Egypt $85 million in military aid

The US has decided to withhold $85 million in military aid to Egypt because Cairo hasn't been able to free enough political prisoners. On Wednesday, a US senator urged the country to withhold an additional $235 million.Two further persons with knowledge of the matter said the $235 million decision was imminent and the $85 million was being held back. The State Department and the Egyptian embassy did not immediately react to demands for comment, according to a story in the American news outlet Reuters. “The administration rightly decided to withhold that first tranche - $85 million tied to the release of political prisoners - because there's just no question there has not been enough progress," Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat, said on the Senate floor. "I would urge the administration to finish the job and withhold the full $320 million ... until Egypt's human rights and democracy record improves," the senator added.