According to The New York Times, the FDA is considering approving emergency contraception for over-the-counter status.

Discussions between the government and Barr Laboratories, which manufactures the drug, known as Plan B, are set to begin immediately and could be completed “in a matter of weeks,� the agency said in a statement.

The move could end a standoff between the Bush administration and Democrats on Capitol Hill.

Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Hillary Clinton (D-NY)--who said they would block the confirmation of Bush nominee Andrew von Eschenbach to FDA until the FDA steps up--say that this recent announcement is nothing more than a "delay tactic." (Von Eschenbach's confirmation hearings are set to start tomorrow.)

I tend to agree. After all, it's not like the FDA has a great track record on this.