>> you're buying u.s. equipment from u.s. contractors. >> reporter: the u.s. doesn't cut a check to egypt, it deposits the aid in a count at the federal reserve bank. that money pays american defense contractors to build the weapons and parts for egypt. that includes $400 million to general dynamics for tank kits and $2.5 billion to lockheed for f-16s. big companies sent legions of lobbyists to capitol hill and reminded the government if they can't build weapons to egypt, all the small town suppliers, from ohio, to oxford, michigan, will get buried. >> joe with company "x" has made this piece of the tank for 20 years and he's good at it. >> reporter: former congressman