Parties square off in fight over $7B vaccine bill

Republicans are moving toward endorsing a bill that would pour billions of federal dollars into the development of new vaccines for combating a flu pandemic or biologic attack. But a trial lawyers group and some Democrats are working to scuttle all--or at least portions--of the bill that includes broad protections for drug developers. The bill would appropriate about $7 billion and is expected to start a move through Capitol Hill next week. The opposing forces are promising a high-profile confrontation over the bill, with neither side indicating a willingness to compromise. Republican leaders say no vaccine maker will act without liability protection and Democrats say that the bill is another example of a backroom deal to benefit the drug companies.

- see this report from The Washington Post for more