Democrats counter that it was Republicans who blocked a second temporary extension of the expired law. They maintain that the government has all the intelligence tools it needs while lawmakers work on a compromise

As with every major policy fight in the remaining months of the 110th Congress, political considerations are looming large. Republicans, confident that they can win any test of wills involving national security, have honed their attack into an accusation that the Democrats care more about enriching trial lawyers than protecting the country

The rhetorical battle will certainly continue. Peter Hoekstra of Michigan, the top Republican on the House Intelligence panel, plans to give a speech at the conservative Heritage Foundation on Tuesday blasting House Democrats for not clearing the Senate legislation.

The Justice Department is providing the House Judiciary Committee with at least some of its opinions regarding the legality of the NSA’s warrantless surveillance