WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress appears likely to renew the expired Violence Against Women Act after House Republican leaders agreed to take up a version of the 1994 anti-domestic violence law that passed the Senate two weeks ago by a wide, bipartisan margin.
A House vote approving the Senate bill would send it to President Barack Obama for his signature.
The Senate bill expands the law, which expired in 2011, to better protect lesbians and gays, immigrants and Native American women. House Republicans introduced a more limited bill this week, which immediately met strong opposition from Democrats, the White House, women's advocacy groups and some Republicans who preferred the Senate bill.
The House is expected to vote on the House version as an amendment and, if that fails, pass the Senate bill on Thursday.
