NATIONAL BRIEFING / WASHINGTON, D.C.
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The House voted to lift a ban on using taxpayer dollars for needle exchange programs for intravenous drug users intended to prevent the spread of HIV and other diseases.
The vote to lift a long-standing ban on federal aid for such programs -- in place since 1988 -- came after a brief but passionate debate on an amendment by Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.) to keep the ban in place. His amendment failed by a 211-218 vote.
The vote came as the House approved, 264 to 153, a massive spending bill for health, labor and education programs. The Senate has yet to vote on a companion measure.
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