The House advanced its new version of a key federal surveillance extension, overcoming the first hurdle to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act before its expiration next week.
Lawmakers voted 213-208 to advance the modified legislation after days of negotiations and infighting among House Republicans about which reforms to include in the legislative text. The vote marks the first time lawmakers have managed to make progress on the key legislation after several failed attempts and lingering disagreements over which reforms should be made to the surveillance tool.
The House will now move forward with debate on the legislation, with a final vote expected on Friday morning.
The altered bill comes after 19 Republicans joined all Democrats in voting against a procedural rule on Wednesday that would have moved the FISA reform bill
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