Congress Budget

Senate Budget Committee Democrats, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., left, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., seated, confer as Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought tells the panel that it'll take a massive upfront investment to ramp up U.S. weapons production and build more ships, planes and drones, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, April 16, 2026.

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Senate extends surveillance powers until April 30 after chaotic votes in House

Senate extends surveillance powers until April 30 after chaotic votes in House

Congress has approved a short-term renewal of a controversial surveillance program used by U.S. spy agencies just days before it was set to expire. A bill extending the program until April 30 cleared the Senate by voice vote Friday as Congress raced to send it to President Donald Trump for his signature. Lawmakers turned to a short-term extension of the program after an attempt to pass a five-year renewal failed in a late-night House vote. The short-term fix sets the stage for another showdown in a matter of weeks. The program permits key national security agencies to collect and analyze vast amounts of overseas communications without a warrant.