U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar cautioned the State Department that all requested spending, at this time of economic and fiscal hardship in America, will have to pass the acid test of whether foreign assistance programs contribute to national security and economic development. Lugar met with Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides prior to testimony by Secretary Hilary Clinton on Wednesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where Lugar is ranking member. The Obama Administration has requested Congress to increase State Department funding by 8.4%.
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