"The interim civilian government and security forces -- backed up, unfortunately, by the military -- are taking Egypt down a dark path, one that the United States cannot and should not travel with them," the statement said.

Sens. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Rand Paul, R-Ky., said Thursday the aid -- about $1.3 billion annually -- should be frozen in response to the Egyptian military's overthrow in July of President Mohamed Morsi.

The administration has declined to designate the overthrow as a coup -- terminology that may automatically trigger a suspension of the aid.

President Obama said Thursday the United States has canceled a joint U.S.-Egyptian military exercise because of the Egyptian crackdown on protests supporting Morsi.