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WASHINGTON » A House panel has approved cutting billions of dollars in U.S. diplomacy and overseas aid programs.
Much in the legislation is unlikely to become law. It would slash State Department’s funding next year by almost 20 percent and completely halt funding for several U.N. and international organizations.
The House Appropriations Committee approved the bill today, and the full House will consider it in coming weeks.
The Obama administration opposes it, and the Senate is likely to object, too.
Republican Congresswoman Kay Granger of Texas points out embassy security would be fully funded. That is sensitive because of last year’s deadly attack on a U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya.
Democratic Congresswoman Nita Lowey of New York says some proposed cuts are "deeply troubling," but she didn’t vote against the bill.
