aid to egypt over the years. and they now hold 19 u.s. citizens virtually hostage. will we ever learn? will we ever learn that you can't buy friendship? >> reporter: well, senator paul is backing the amendment to cut off aid to egypt completely. other lawmakers say it is better to control the pursestrings and possible steer the outcome. >> it sounds like they are concerned that some of the money may end up in the wrong hands, whatever that means. >> reporter: there are. the muslim brotherhood has partial control of the parliament. and they could theoretically control it. the brotherhood is saying they will not recognize israel and it plans to deny the peace treaty brokered by jimmy carter. and new warnings that cutting aid to the egyptian government, including the paul amendment could make things worse. >> i know an amendment being proposed to break our military relationship and cut off all