WASHINGTON – The Senate has passed legislation that would extend a series of expired federal surveillance tools designed to help law enforcement officials track suspected terrorists, moving one step closer to reviving them.
The legislation passed the Senate 80-16 on Thursday. The bill is a bipartisan compromise that has the support of Attorney General William Barr, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Yet it's unclear how quickly the legislation can become law. The House passed the bill in March, but will have to pass it again due to a change in the Senate.
The House has been holding votes on a limited basis due to the coronavirus pandemic. President Donald Trump has said he will support the compromise,