The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to speed drug development and increase funding for medical research, surmounting reservations from leaders in both parties.

The vote was 344-77. A last-minute provision prohibiting the use of federal funds for abortion coverage remained in the bill when the House rejected an amendment to remove it. The bill now heads to the Senate, where its prospects are less certain.

Known as the 21st Century Cures Act, the proposal would streamline clinical trials, offer drug makers incentives to develop new antibiotics and exempt the emerging diagnostic software industry from oversight by the Food and Drug Administration. It would also bolster research at the National Institutes of Health, including creating an innovation fund totaling $9.3 billion for fiscal years 2016 to 2020.

Senators have yet to produce their version of the legislation. And the White House came out Wednesday against some provisions in the bill. The bill, introduced by Michigan Republican Fred Upton, has 230 co-sponsors.

The amendment on abortion was rejected 245-176. Republicans consistently seek to add the abortion provision to all spending bills involving the FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services.

For more details, go to: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-09/house-considers-speeding-drug-development-as-opposition-mounts