House approves short-term extension of surveillance law in blow to Republicans’ long-term plan – US politics live

The decision to extend a warrantless security law until 30 April came after 20 Republicans worked with House Democrats to defeat attempts to pass five-year and 18-month renewals

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The House of Representatives voted early on Friday to briefly extend an expiring and controversial law that grants the US government sweeping powers for warrantless surveillance.

The decision to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (Fisa) until April 30 came via unanimous consent shortly after a 208 Democrats and 20 Republicans came together to defeat attempts to pass five-year and 18-month renewals.

First enacted in 2008, Fisa’s Section 702 allows national security agencies to collect and review texts and emails sent to, and from, foreigners living outside the country, without a warrant. This would also cover any communications between Americans who are talking to non-American targets living board.