Senate votes to boost international affairs funding in its budget.
April 1, 2009

The Senate passed the Kerry-Lugar Amendment to its budget resolution. This amendment restored funding for the international affairs account to the $53.8 billion requested by President Obama. That number had been cut by $4 billion in the Senate's original version.

The final number is still in doubt as the House budget includes a lower allocation for international affairs ($48.5 billion), but this strong signal from the Senate is important as members from both chambers prepare to meet in conference.

In his floor statement introducing the amendment, Sen. Kerry made the case for increased foreign affairs spending in a time of tight budgets.