A US Senate panel has approved a foreign aid budget for next year that cuts US assistance to Pakistan and Egypt, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday. By voice vote Tuesday, a Senate Appropriations subcommittee approved the overall bill totaling $52.1 billion. That is $2.6 billion less than what President Barack Obama requested and $1.2 billion below current spending. Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont cited the strained US relations with Pakistan for reducing aid and imposing restrictions on $1 billion in assistance. Pakistan has closed supply routes for NATO forces in Afghanistan, angering the United States and lawmakers.