The Senate on Tuesday approved new rules for eavesdropping on phone calls and e-mails, giving the White House much of the latitude it wanted and granting legal immunity to telecommunications companies that helped in the snooping. The vote was 68-29.

President George W. Bush has said he'll veto any surveillance bill that doesn't protect the companies. About 40 lawsuits have been filed against telecom companies by people alleging violations of wiretapping and privacy laws.

Full immunity still needs approval by the House. The current law expires Friday.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080213/NEWS07/802130376/&imw=Y