The breakthrough came Wednesday when a second Republican joined all Democrats in voting to overrule the Republican House speaker, who has steadfastly blocked repeal.
Democrats and Republicans approved massive additional funding to war against Russia in Ukraine, to Israeli genocide in Gaza, and to the US-led war buildup against China over Taiwan.
The measure enjoys backing from Republicans and Democrats, but it is strongly opposed by libertarians on the right and progressives on the left who are deeply skeptical of granting the government broad spying powers without strict oversight and limits.
A New York state appeals judge on Tuesday denied Donald Trump's bid to delay his April 15 trial on criminal charges stemming from hush money paid to a porn star while the former U.S. president appeals a gag order in the case.