US House Okays Renewal Of Controversial Surveillance Program

A part of the US surveillance program known as Section 702 allows intelligence agencies to conduct warrantless electronic monitoring of foreigners outside the United States (Credit: AFP)

The US House of Representatives voted Friday to reauthorize an electronic urveillance program targeting foreigners, a practice officials say is critical to national security but criticized by opponents over concerns for American citizens' privacy.

The Republican-controlled House voted to reauthorize a section of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, widely known as FISA, by a bipartisan vote of 273-147.