Senate extends surveillance powers in rush move

The Senate approved a short-term renewal until April 30 of a controversial surveillance program used by U.S. spy agencies, following a chaotic, post-midnight scramble in the House to keep the authority from expiring.

- BY JOEY CAPPELLETTI AND LISA MASCARO

J. SCOTT APPLE WHITE Associated Press HOUSE Speaker Mike Johnson, above, and fellow Republicans failed to pass the extension in the House.

The measure cleared the Senate by voice vote, without a formal roll call, as Congress raced to meet a Monday deadline. It now heads to President Trump, who had pushed for a clean 18month extension, for his signature.

GOP leaders in the House rushed lawmakers back into session late Thursday with a series of back-toback votes that collapsed in dramatic failure, before they quickly pushed ahead the stopgap measure as they race to keep the surveillance program running past Monday’s expiration date.

First they unveiled a new plan that would have extended the program for five years, with revisions. Then they tried to salvage a shorter 18-month renewal that Trump had demanded and Speaker Mike Johnson had previously backed. Some 20 Republicans joined most Democrats in blocking its advance.

Shortly after 2 a.m. they quickly agreed to the 10-day extension, which was agreed to on a voice vote without a formal roll call. It next goes to the Senate, which is gaveling for a rare Friday session, as Congress races to keep the surveillance program running.

"We were very close tonight," said Johnson after the late-night action.