Congresswoman McCollum Responds to Citizen Protests in Egypt

Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) issued the following statement in response to the ongoing civil unrest in Egypt, a long-time U.S. ally. Throughout the past week, Egyptian citizens have taken to the streets, demanding that President Hosni Mubarak step down from power after more than three decades of rule.

"The street protests across Egypt are clear evidence of a people seeking the opportunity to live in a pluralistic, democratic society in which human rights are respected and economic opportunities are more widely available. Congress should support the process of peaceful political change in Egypt. Such an approach should include open, free elections, while maintaining our important bilateral relationships with Egypt's professional military, civil society, and business community."