House Democrats were unsuccessful in seeking a 21 day extension to the Protect America Act, the legislation underpinning the government’s controversial warrantless wiretapping program.

The vote was 229 against 191 to extend the Act while lawmakers negotiated a deal on its replacement.

The Democrats had been seeking the extension in order to give lawmakers in both Houses of Congress time to strike a deal on the most contentious aspect of the legislation: whether or not to grant phone companies who allegedly participated in the program retro-active immunity from civil law suits.

Share This