WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) -- The Democratic-led Congress yielded to President Bush on Saturday and approved legislation to temporarily expand government 's power to conduct electronic surveillance without a court order in tracking foreign suspects . President Bush demanded Congress expand his surveillance authority before leaving for vacation . Civil liberties groups charged the measure would create a broad net that would sweep up law-abiding U.S. citizens . But the House of Representatives gave its concurrence to the bill , 227-183 , a day after it won Senate approval , 60-28 . The action came amid warnings of possible attacks on the United States . `` After months of prodding by House Republicans , Congress has finally closed the terrorist loophole in our surveillance law -- and America will be the safer for it , '' declared House Minority Leader John Boehner , an Ohio Republican . `` We think it is not the bill that ought to pass , '' said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer . But he conceded he and fellow Democrats were unable to stop the measure in this national security showdown with the White House . `` Protecting America is our most solemn obligation , '' Bush said earlier in the day in urging Congress to send him the bill so he could sign it into law . Watch Kelli Arena 's report on what some call an intelligence gap » . The measure would authorize the National Security Agency to intercept without a court order communications between people in the United States and foreign targets overseas . E-mail to a friend . Copyright 2007 Reuters . All rights reserved.This material may not be published , broadcast , rewritten , or redistributed .
Secret court ruling prompted calls for updating the program . President Bush had urged the Senate to pass the bill without delay . Measure expands FBI 's power to eavesdrop on foreign suspects .