Surveillance Powers Lapse With No Deal In Senate

WASHINGTON (AP) — A House bill that would overhaul the National Security Agency's bulk surveillance of American calling records will now be the focus of debate in a Senate which blocked the same measure eight days ago.

But that turnabout didn't happen soon enough to prevent the laws governing that and other surveillance programs from expiring at midnight. Republican Sen. Rand Paul, temporarily blocked any action. He opposes the bulk data collection.

At least for now, the National Security Agency no longer has authority to collect Americans' phone records in bulk and search them for terror ties.

Several other lesser-known provisions also have lapsed including one making it easier to track terror suspects who frequently discard cellphones.

The expiration is likely only temporary.