FISA surveillance law extended

The brief extension was passed by voice vote just hours before the program was set to expire, providing a temporary reprieve for the nation's spy agencies.

President Trump had pushed for a clean 18-month extension, but privacy-minded Republicans in the House successfully blocked the measure.

Bipartisan talks are now underway to find a compromise that balances national security needs with civil liberty protections.

Critics argue that the law is frequently abused to sweep up the data of American citizens, while the administration maintains it is an essential tool for preventing terrorism.