Congress set to OK bill renewing anti-violence law

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans appeared resigned today to accepting an ambitious expansion of the Violence Against Women Act that would bring gays, lesbians, immigrants and American Indians under its protective umbrella.

A House vote to approve the Senate's version of legislation renewing the Violence Against Women Act would send the legislation to President Barack Obama for his signature and help burnish the GOP's image with women.

Republicans generally agree the law is needed, but many in the GOP oppose a sweeping expansion. Before taking up the broad-ranging bill approved by the Senate two weeks ago, the House will vote on a more limited GOP version. But with Democrats solidly behind the Senate bill and Republicans split over their own alternative, that version was likely to be rejected.

In contrast to the partisan divide in the House, the Senate passed the measure on a 78-22 vote, with all Democrats, all women senators and 23 of 45 Republicans supporting it. The Senate bill goes further than some Republicans like in significantly broadening the scope of the law's coverage.