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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: House passes alternate anti-violence bill

Washington – House Republicans on Tuesday advanced their own version of an election-year bill to protect women from violence.

The House Judiciary Committee voted 17-15 along party lines to renew the 1994 Violence Against Women Act that protects abused women and which expired last year. The Democratic-controlled Senate passed a conflicting version last month.

The law historically has enjoyed bipartisan support. But this year, with the presidency and congressional majorities at stake and female voters a pivotal constituency, it’s become the latest vehicle for gender politicking over an issue on which there’s been little debate in less-polarized years.

Republicans say they want to tighten provisions in the Senate bill that would protect abused immigrants – as well as taxpayer money doled out under the law.

Democrats say any effort to change the Senate version is just the latest shot in what they call the GOP’s “war against women.”

FDA advances HIV prevention drug

Washington – A pill that has long been used to treat HIV has moved one step closer to becoming the first drug approved to prevent healthy people from becoming infected with the virus that causes AIDS.

The Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday that Gilead Sciences’ Truvada appears to be safe and effective for HIV prevention.

On Thursday a panel of FDA advisers will consider the review when it votes on whether Truvada should be approved as a preventative treatment for people who are at high risk of contracting HIV through sexual intercourse.