This was in an article in today's Washington Post about the federal budget:

"Administration officials described fierce behind-the-scenes battles over spending in the final Bush budget. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice went back three times to the internal budget review board -- which includes Vice President Cheney, Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr., Chief of Staff Joshua B. Bolten and National Economic Council Director Keith Hennessy -- to appeal for more funds. In the end, she also spoke directly with Bush to secure an increase of $700 million for the State Department, 6.5 percent over last year's budget."

Well that is a big step in the right direction.