US lawmakers agree to $20.9 bln in foreign aid

Read the Reuters news story.:

"U.S. Senate and House of Representatives negotiators on Tuesday agreed to a $20.9 billion foreign aid bill, with less than President George W. Bush wanted for reform-minded nations, and nearly $3 billion to fight AIDS.

"The bill, which still faces final votes in both chambers, is about $2 billion below Bush's request, cutting $1.2 billion from his signature program to reward countries that make economic and democratic reforms. "