The U.S. Senate last night approved legislation to fund the State Department’s educational and cultural exchange programs at $509.4 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2008. The State-Foreign Operations Appropriations legislation was approved by a vote of 81 to 12. The funding level for exchanges in $8 million above the $501.4 million approved by the House of Representatives, and $23 million above the $486.4 million requested by the President. Current year exchanges funding stands at $445.2 million.