Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is complaining that domestic political battles are hurting the president's foreign policy goals and damaging America's image abroad.

Clinton was testifying before a congressional committee Wednesay when she said fights between the White House and Congress had led to "gridlock" in appointing officials to critical positions, including those with key foreign policy and international assistance responsibilities. That has created confusion among friends and allies.

She told the Senate Appropriations Committee that delays and holds placed on the nominations of several ambassadorial and senior State Department positions had been problematic.