The Senate Monday voted to end debate on the USA Freedom Act, allowing a final vote later in the day on legislation that would reform an anti-terror surveillance law to bolster privacy rights.
Senators voted 83-14 to end debate on the bill.
Lawmakers will vote on final passage Tuesday afternoon, but will first consider three amendments, backed by Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., that aim to preserve the effectiveness of the intelligence gathering program.
McConnell called the amendments “modest safeguards,” for the program, but they are opposed by the House, where lawmakers are urging the Senate to pass the USA Freedom Act in its original form.
“This bill protects national security, while also protecting privacy,” Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, a USA Freedom Act sponsor, said before the vote.
