WASHINGTON — The House and Senate approved a 15-day extension Tuesday of an expiring intelligence surveillance law and the White House backed off a threatened veto, allowing time to resolve a dispute over the administration’s proposal to immunize telephone companies from lawsuits stemming from their cooperation with warrantless wiretaps.
Both chambers passed the temporary extension of the Protect America Act and then left for a one-week break. The White House gave its blessing to the short-term measure rather than allowing the law to expire Friday.
President Bush had insisted that Congress act immediately to approve a new surveillance measure that includes the immunity provision.
The Senate has not acted on a bill because of two related disputes: one among Democrats over whether to approve the immunity, and another between Democrats and Republicans over whether amendments are to be allowed when the measure is brought to the floor for a vote.
