Whereas the United States and the Arab Republic of Egypt have enjoyed decades of cordial and productive relations; Whereas Egypt is a vital United States ally in a region where many threats emerge and opportunities arise; Whereas the United States deplores terrorist attacks in Egypt by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and other terrorist organizations; Whereas the United States applauds the Egyptian Government for having constructive ties and mutually beneficial relations with Israel and historic relations with its neighbors; Whereas United States-Egypt relations are stronger when such relations are based on both mutual strategic interests and shared values; Whereas, after a major popular uprising of 33,000,000 Egyptian citizens on July 3, 2013, removed from power former Egyptian President Mohammad Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood, on June 8, 2014, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi was democratically sworn into office as President of Egypt; Whereas Egypt maintains the longest standing parliamentary system in the region; Whereas President el-Sisi has reached out to the minority Christian community in Egypt, calling for unity among all Egyptian citizens regardless of religion; Whereas President el-Sisi has made courageous, but difficult, economic reforms to put the Egyptian economy back on keel; Whereas under the first eight months of President el-Sisi’s leadership, Egypt’s debt fell 13.5 percent; Whereas Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poor’s have all upgraded Egypt’s credit rating, as a result of its recent economic reforms; Whereas Egypt has sought to partner with and emulate free societies around the world through its membership and participation in the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank; Whereas President el-Sisi continues to defend the rights of all Egyptians without prejudice to religion, ethnicity or origin