A press release from the Senate Appropriations Committee indicates that its FY 2010 State-Foreign Operations spending bill provides $635.2 million for State Department educational and cultural exchange programs, $2.2 million above the President’s request of $633 million, $35.2 million above the recently passed House level of $600 million, and $97.2 million above the FY 2009 level of $538 million. The Committee also recommends $8 million for competitive, one-time grants for exchanges.