Domestic Violence Bill OKd in House

A long-stalled bill renewing landmark federal programs for victims of domestic violence passed the House after President Clinton accused lawmakers of treating the measure like a political football. The renewal of the Violence Against Women Act, which passed 415 to 3, authorizes $3.6 billion over five years for programs that include law enforcement and judicial training, grants for domestic violence shelters, child abuse prevention programs and a national domestic violence hotline. It was initially passed in 1994. The bill awaits action in the Senate.