The U.S. Senate approved the FY 2005 Foreign Operations Appropriations legislation last night, moving it one step further on the path to final approval. The bill passed by voice vote.

As reported earlier this week by the Alliance, the Senate version of the legislation would provide $19.5 billion overall for foreign assistance programs, $1 million below the House level of $19.4 billion, and $1.9 billion below the President’s request.