US Senate votes to reauthorize surveillance program

 The U.S. Senate voted late on Friday night to approve the reauthorization of a controversial surveillance program, narrowly missing the midnight expiration of the program.

The reauthorization secures what supporters call a key element of the United States' foreign intelligence-gathering operation.

"Democrats and Republicans came together and did the right thing for our country safety," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

"We all know one thing: letting FISA expire would be dangerous. It's an important part of our national security, to stop acts of terror, drug trafficking and violent extreme extremism."

FISA has attracted criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, who argue it violates Americans' constitutional right to privacy. The bill was blocked three times in the past five months by House Republicans bucking their party, before passing last week by a 273-147 vote when its duration was shortened from five years to two years.