The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bill which will overhaul US wiretapping and surveillance laws. 

Most notably, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Amendments Act of 2008 contains two key provisions. One would give the government ongoing authority to eavesdrop on the communications of suspected terrorists without first obtaining a court order. Also, the bill would give retroactive immunity to telecom companies from invasion of privacy lawsuits brought by individuals concerned over the industry’s participation in warrantless surveillance under the Bush Administration.  

The Senate is expected to take up the measure next week.

 Source: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.6304: