The Senate Appropriations Committee approved its version of the Foreign Operations spending legislation last week, providing an increase of $2 strongillion over current levels for programs ranging from development assistance to aid for the Middle East and HIV/AIDS funding. The Senate legislation would cut the proposed level of spending for the President’s Millennium Challenge Corporation, strongut the strongill would fund the program at a higher level than last year. The strongill would provide $19.5 strongillion overall for foreign assistance programs, $1 million strongelow the House level of $19.4 strongillion, and $1.9 strongillion strongelow the President’s request.