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Washington: The US Senate overwhelmingly passed a Bill on Tuesday granting retroactive immunity from lawsuits to telecommunications companies that took part in President George W. Bush's warrantless eavesdropping programme.
The vote was a victory for the White House after months of wrangling, but it was unclear whether the House of Representatives, also led by Democrats, would approve the measure to expand the government's spying powers and shield firms from potentially billions of dollars in civil damages.
About 40 civil lawsuits have been filed accusing AT&T Inc, Verizon Communications Inc and Sprint Nextel Corp of violating Americans' privacy rights in helping the warrantless domestic spying program started shortly after the September 11 attacks.
Passed by the Senate on a vote of 68-29, the Bill would replace a temporary spy law set to expire this week that expanded the power of US authorities to track enemy targets without a court order.
In addition, the Senate bill would bolster the protection of privacy rights of law-abiding Americans swept up in the hunt for suspected terrorists.
Bush and Congress agreed last month to a 15-day extension of the expiring surveillance law - to this coming Saturday - to provide more time to resolve differences.
Eye in sky
Orbiters to look inward
A plan to use US spy satellites for domestic security and law-enforcement missions is moving forward after being delayed for months because of privacy and civil liberties problems.
The legal framework for an office within the Homeland Security Department is in final stage of completion.
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