US lawmakers in Washington, D.C., have reached a deal that would fund the Voice of America, giving its parent organization, the US Agency for Global Media, an estimated $653 million. That figure is considerably lower than the annual $860 million provided previously to the agency.

As described on the Radio World website, the funds would also pay for restoration of operations for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia. A minimum of $30 million is earmarked for medium- and shortwave programming by the Office of Cuba Broadcasting.

The deal is part of a larger spending bill, the National Security Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations Act. It has the support of both parties in Congress and its funding plan goes against the White House's executive order from last year which shut the international news services. Even if the measure receives final approval from the House and Senate, it will still require the president's signature.