Nancy Pelosi was expected on Wednesday to become the Democratic nominee for speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, giving her the inside track to reclaim the House's top job in January, unless critics in her own party block her.

The 78-year-old San Francisco liberal, a frequent target of Republican critics, faces a small faction of Democrats who are refusing to back her for the post in which she made history from 2007 to 2011 as the first woman speaker.

Manoeuvring to win over her opponents, Pelosi was set to meet on Tuesday with Democratic members of a bipartisan group known as the Problem Solvers Caucus. They want Pelosi, currently the House Democratic leader, to back reforms in how the House operates.

With a record of achievement that includes passage of 2010's Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare, Pelosi argues she is still best qualified to be the speaker, rejecting critics' demands for new, younger leadership.

No one has stepped forward to directly challenge her in Wednesday's closed-door party election. If she wins, she will become the party's nominee to be the speaker for 2019-2020.

Some Democrats are trying to set conditions on their support. In the January election, Pelosi will need a majority of those casting ballots in the 435-member House, with both parties voting publicly.

Voters in the Nov. 6 congressional elections took away the Republicans' House majority and handed it to Democrats in a contest widely seen as a referendum on President Donald Trump. His fellow Republicans added to their Senate majority.

Nine Democratic Problem Solvers urged Pelosi on Monday to publicly support rule changes they said would "help break the gridlock and pass meaningful legislation to fix health care, immigration and infrastructure."

A senior Democratic aide said House Democratic leaders had embraced some of the proposals - such as promising timely votes on bills with the backing of three-fifths of the House.

An additional 16 Democrats signed a letter last week saying they believed "the time has come for new leadership in our caucus." At least one, Representative Brian Higgins, has since changed his mind.

Recently elected California Democrat Gil Cisneros announced Monday he would not back Pelosi, saying he had to keep his campaign promise to support new leadership.

But another freshman Democrat who campaigned on the need for generational change in the party, Jahana Hayes of Connecticut, said Tuesday she would back Pelosi.

"You can't beat someone with no one," she said.

Nancy Pelosi was expected on Wednesday to become the Democratic nominee for speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, giving her the inside track to reclaim the House's top job in January, unless critics in her own party block her.

Nancy Pelosi was expected on Wednesday to become the Democratic nominee for speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, giving her the inside track to reclaim the House's top job in January, unless critics in her own party block her. The 78-year-old San Francisco liberal, a frequent target of Republican critics, faces a small faction of Democrats who are refusing to back her for the post in which she made history from 2007 to 2011 as the first woman speaker. Manoeuvring to win over her opponents, Pelosi was set to meet on Tuesday with Democratic members of a bipartisan group known as the Problem Solvers Caucus. They want Pelosi, currently the House Democratic leader, to back reforms in how the House operates. With a record of achievement that includes passage of 2010's Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare, Pelosi argues she is still best qualified to be the speaker, rejecting critics' demands for new, younger leadership. No one has stepped forward to directly challenge her in Wednesday's closed-door party election. If she wins, she will become the party's nominee to be the speaker for 2019-2020. Some Democrats are trying to set conditions on their support. In the January election, Pelosi will need a majority of those casting ballots in the 435-member House, with both parties voting publicly. Voters in the Nov. 6 congressional elections took away the Republicans' House majority and handed it to Democrats in a contest widely seen as a referendum on President Donald Trump. His fellow Republicans added to their Senate majority. Nine Democratic Problem Solvers urged Pelosi on Monday to publicly support rule changes they said would "help break the gridlock and pass meaningful legislation to fix health care, immigration and infrastructure." A senior Democratic aide said House Democratic leaders had embraced some of the proposals - such as promising timely votes on bills with the backing of three-fifths of the House. An additional 16 Democrats signed a letter last week saying they believed "the time has come for new leadership in our caucus." At least one, Representative Brian Higgins, has since changed his mind. Recently elected California Democrat Gil Cisneros announced Monday he would not back Pelosi, saying he had to keep his campaign promise to support new leadership. But another freshman Democrat who campaigned on the need for generational change in the party, Jahana Hayes of Connecticut, said Tuesday she would back Pelosi. "You can't beat someone with no one," she said.

Nancy Pelosi seen closing in on US House speakership

Nancy Pelosi, working to reclaim the top job in the US House of Representatives, has called for the creation of a new leadership post in a move that could make room for younger lawmakers in the upper echelons of the House Democrats.

The 78-year-old San Francisco liberal and current House Democratic leader is fighting hard to regain the job of speaker after the November 6 elections in which Democrats gained a majority in the 435-member chamber.

Pelosi previously held the post in 2007-2011 when she made history as the first woman speaker. But a handful of fellow Democrats have opposed her taking up the job again, saying the party needs new, younger leadership when the new Congress convenes in January.

In a letter to current and incoming House Democrats late on Tuesday, Pelosi called for creation of an additional committee post in House leadership ranks, focused on policy and communications.

"This enhancement ... will position House Democrats to best take advantage of the new size and diversity of our Caucus," Pelosi wrote.&nbsp; 
The House Democrats` other current top leaders are No. 2 Steny Hoyer and No. 3 James Clyburn, both also in their late 70s. The two have said they plan run for top spots, Hoyer as majority leader and Clyburn as majority whip.

While 16 Democrats have threatened to join Republicans and vote against Pelosi in January when the House elects a speaker, no Democrat has openly issued a challenge to her. On Tuesday, she won the backing of one potential challenger, fellow Democrat Marcia Fudge.

Democratic former President Barack Obama, a highly influential figure in the party, called Pelosi "one of the most effective legislative leaders that this country`s ever seen" in an interview with podcast "The Axe Files" released on Tuesday.

Representative Jim Himes, in a CNN interview on Wednesday, said fellow Democrats have a right to consider alternative leaders but added the party should unite once that plays out.

"If it doesn`t work: Stop. Allow us to unify, allow us to move forward," Himes said, adding he would not yet announce who he was supporting for the speaker role.

House Democrats elected to the next Congress are scheduled to meet on November 28 to pick their leaders and nominee for speaker. The full House will vote in early January on the speaker position.

In her letter, Pelosi acknowledged the expanding Democratic caucus and said the new position would be in addition to three current co-chairs of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee: Representatives Cheri Bustos, David Cicilline and Hakeem Jeffries.&nbsp;

President Donald Trump`s fellow Republicans retained their majority in the Senate in this month`s elections.&nbsp;

Nancy Pelosi, working to reclaim the top job in the US House of Representatives, has called for the creation of a new leadership post in a move that could make room for younger lawmakers in the upper echelons of the House Democrats.

Nancy Pelosi, working to reclaim the top job in the US House of Representatives, has called for the creation of a new leadership post in a move that could make room for younger lawmakers in the upper echelons of the House Democrats. The 78-year-old San Francisco liberal and current House Democratic leader is fighting hard to regain the job of speaker after the November 6 elections in which Democrats gained a majority in the 435-member chamber. Pelosi previously held the post in 2007-2011 when she made history as the first woman speaker. But a handful of fellow Democrats have opposed her taking up the job again, saying the party needs new, younger leadership when the new Congress convenes in January. In a letter to current and incoming House Democrats late on Tuesday, Pelosi called for creation of an additional committee post in House leadership ranks, focused on policy and communications. "This enhancement ... will position House Democrats to best take advantage of the new size and diversity of our Caucus," Pelosi wrote. The House Democrats` other current top leaders are No. 2 Steny Hoyer and No. 3 James Clyburn, both also in their late 70s. The two have said they plan run for top spots, Hoyer as majority leader and Clyburn as majority whip. While 16 Democrats have threatened to join Republicans and vote against Pelosi in January when the House elects a speaker, no Democrat has openly issued a challenge to her. On Tuesday, she won the backing of one potential challenger, fellow Democrat Marcia Fudge. Democratic former President Barack Obama, a highly influential figure in the party, called Pelosi "one of the most effective legislative leaders that this country`s ever seen" in an interview with podcast "The Axe Files" released on Tuesday. Representative Jim Himes, in a CNN interview on Wednesday, said fellow Democrats have a right to consider alternative leaders but added the party should unite once that plays out. "If it doesn`t work: Stop. Allow us to unify, allow us to move forward," Himes said, adding he would not yet announce who he was supporting for the speaker role. House Democrats elected to the next Congress are scheduled to meet on November 28 to pick their leaders and nominee for speaker. The full House will vote in early January on the speaker position. In her letter, Pelosi acknowledged the expanding Democratic caucus and said the new position would be in addition to three current co-chairs of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee: Representatives Cheri Bustos, David Cicilline and Hakeem Jeffries. President Donald Trump`s fellow Republicans retained their majority in the Senate in this month`s elections.

In bid for top US House job, Pelosi makes room for others

Donald Trump's stunning 2016 White House win got a major boost from sagging Democratic enthusiasm in Pennsylvania, but now the party is poised for big wins on Tuesday in congressional races in the state that could signal which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives.

A court-ordered overhaul of Pennsylvania voting districts and stubbornly low approval ratings for Trump in the state have placed Democrats within striking distance of claiming at least half of Pennsylvania's 18 congressional seats in a test of the party's ability to win back working-class voters.

Republicans are scrambling.

Take Republican incumbent Keith Rothfus. He won the election in 2012 in Pennsylvania's current 12th district outside Pittsburgh, which includes some staunch Republican strongholds. The 56-year-old attorney was reelected twice by constituents who favoured Trump by over 20 percentage points in 2016.

But redistricting has forced Rothfus into a new 17th district, where only 36 per cent of voters are Republicans and nearly half are Democrats.

Opinion polls now show Rothfus trailing moderate Democrat Conor Lamb, a 34-year-old former Marine who gained political stardom by winning a special House election in a solidly Republican district last spring. Lamb has support from more than half of likely voters.

The change in Democratic fortunes increases the party's hopes of making the net gain of 23 seats it needs to control the House and stall much of Trump's agenda. Republicans are favoured to hold the Senate.

"Pennsylvania is going to be the bellwether. It is ground zero if you're looking at who's going to control the House," said Mike DeVanney, a Pittsburgh-based Republican strategist.

MORE SEATS IN PLAY

Democrats, who currently hold six of Pennsylvania's House seats, could win at least nine, according to the University of Virginia Center for Politics, which tracks House and Senate races.

"Anything more than that probably would reflect an outcome in which Democrats won significantly more than the 23 net seats they need," said Center analyst Kyle Kondik.

All told, at least seven House Republican seats once considered safe are now in play as a result of the redrawn map in Pennsylvania.

"We were having elections that did not have two candidates running in them in many of these districts. That doesn't give people a real choice," Lamb told Reuters in an interview. "A citizen deserves to have a competitive election."

Rothfus, who was not available for an interview, has campaigned largely on economic issues, a position that won him an endorsement on Friday from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

"The healthy economy we're seeing is a result of a combination of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the deregulation of small businesses," Rothfus said last month on Twitter. "That's what is putting hard-working Americans to work, and that's what is putting more money in their pockets."

Republicans and Democrats have both tried to use district lines to maximize their power.

The last redistricting wave began eight years ago when the conservative Tea Party movement, driven by opposition to Democratic former President Barack Obama, gave Republicans control of the U.S. House and 10 new governorships.

The dynamics underlying this year's House races in Pennsylvania, including anger among Democratic and independent voters over Trump, could give Democrats a shot at exceeding their state sweep in 2006, which was a banner year nationally for the party.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered the state's new district map earlier this year in a ruling that later survived a Republican challenge to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Under the new map, two Republican-held House seats outside Philadelphia where Republican incumbents are stepping down are seen as likely Democratic or safe Democratic wins, according to a Reuters analysis of a trio of political forecasting groups: Cook Political Report, Inside Elections and the University of Virginia's Center for Politics.

A third Republican seat with a retiring incumbent, near the eastern city of Allentown, is rated as leaning Democratic.

Meanwhile, Trump's political style looks to be becoming a liability.

A Franklin &amp; Marshall College survey of likely Pennsylvania voters conducted Oct. 22-28 found that 52 per cent preferred Democratic House candidates. Two out of three viewed that choice as a vote against Trump, who has a 36 per cent approval rate in the state.

At least three other House Republican incumbents - Mike Kelly, Scott Perry and Brian Fitzpatrick - are in tight reelection battles.

Democrat George Scott needs Republican support to defeat Perry in a district including the state capital, Harrisburg. On Thursday, he was able to showcase Republican backing by appearing with about a dozen Republicans, including a former state senator, a former state representative and a staffer to a former Republican governor. Several said Perry had become too partisan in Washington, where he joined the hardline conservative House Freedom Caucus.

Perry, whose campaign declined an interview request, has defended membership in that group.

"It is not a right-wing organization. We take anybody that comes," Perry said in a debate last month, according to local media.

The critics expressed concern over Perry's votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act - Obama's signature health care program - and its insurance protections for people with preexisting medical conditions.

Former state Representative Steve Nickol told Reuters that he supported Perry during his first run for Congress but was dismayed to see him become "radically partisan" in Washington.

"I've talked to even some elected (Republican) officials who are kind of upset with the way things are and feel that Scott (Perry) is a little too extreme in some of his positions," Nickol said.

"They're not about to come out and endorse George, even though they've told me in private that they'll vote for him."

Donald Trump's stunning 2016 White House win got a major boost from sagging Democratic enthusiasm in Pennsylvania, but now the party is poised for big wins on Tuesday in congressional races in the state that could signal which party controls the U.

Donald Trump's stunning 2016 White House win got a major boost from sagging Democratic enthusiasm in Pennsylvania, but now the party is poised for big wins on Tuesday in congressional races in the state that could signal which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives. A court-ordered overhaul of Pennsylvania voting districts and stubbornly low approval ratings for Trump in the state have placed Democrats within striking distance of claiming at least half of Pennsylvania's 18 congressional seats in a test of the party's ability to win back working-class voters. Republicans are scrambling. Take Republican incumbent Keith Rothfus. He won the election in 2012 in Pennsylvania's current 12th district outside Pittsburgh, which includes some staunch Republican strongholds. The 56-year-old attorney was reelected twice by constituents who favoured Trump by over 20 percentage points in 2016. But redistricting has forced Rothfus into a new 17th district, where only 36 per cent of voters are Republicans and nearly half are Democrats. Opinion polls now show Rothfus trailing moderate Democrat Conor Lamb, a 34-year-old former Marine who gained political stardom by winning a special House election in a solidly Republican district last spring. Lamb has support from more than half of likely voters. The change in Democratic fortunes increases the party's hopes of making the net gain of 23 seats it needs to control the House and stall much of Trump's agenda. Republicans are favoured to hold the Senate. "Pennsylvania is going to be the bellwether. It is ground zero if you're looking at who's going to control the House," said Mike DeVanney, a Pittsburgh-based Republican strategist. MORE SEATS IN PLAY Democrats, who currently hold six of Pennsylvania's House seats, could win at least nine, according to the University of Virginia Center for Politics, which tracks House and Senate races. "Anything more than that probably would reflect an outcome in which Democrats won significantly more than the 23 net seats they need," said Center analyst Kyle Kondik. All told, at least seven House Republican seats once considered safe are now in play as a result of the redrawn map in Pennsylvania. "We were having elections that did not have two candidates running in them in many of these districts. That doesn't give people a real choice," Lamb told Reuters in an interview. "A citizen deserves to have a competitive election." Rothfus, who was not available for an interview, has campaigned largely on economic issues, a position that won him an endorsement on Friday from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "The healthy economy we're seeing is a result of a combination of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the deregulation of small businesses," Rothfus said last month on Twitter. "That's what is putting hard-working Americans to work, and that's what is putting more money in their pockets." Republicans and Democrats have both tried to use district lines to maximize their power. The last redistricting wave began eight years ago when the conservative Tea Party movement, driven by opposition to Democratic former President Barack Obama, gave Republicans control of the U.S. House and 10 new governorships. The dynamics underlying this year's House races in Pennsylvania, including anger among Democratic and independent voters over Trump, could give Democrats a shot at exceeding their state sweep in 2006, which was a banner year nationally for the party. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered the state's new district map earlier this year in a ruling that later survived a Republican challenge to the U.S. Supreme Court. Under the new map, two Republican-held House seats outside Philadelphia where Republican incumbents are stepping down are seen as likely Democratic or safe Democratic wins, according to a Reuters analysis of a trio of political forecasting groups: Cook Political Report, Inside Elections and the University of Virginia's Center for Politics. A third Republican seat with a retiring incumbent, near the eastern city of Allentown, is rated as leaning Democratic. Meanwhile, Trump's political style looks to be becoming a liability. A Franklin & Marshall College survey of likely Pennsylvania voters conducted Oct. 22-28 found that 52 per cent preferred Democratic House candidates. Two out of three viewed that choice as a vote against Trump, who has a 36 per cent approval rate in the state. At least three other House Republican incumbents - Mike Kelly, Scott Perry and Brian Fitzpatrick - are in tight reelection battles. Democrat George Scott needs Republican support to defeat Perry in a district including the state capital, Harrisburg. On Thursday, he was able to showcase Republican backing by appearing with about a dozen Republicans, including a former state senator, a former state representative and a staffer to a former Republican governor. Several said Perry had become too partisan in Washington, where he joined the hardline conservative House Freedom Caucus. Perry, whose campaign declined an interview request, has defended membership in that group. "It is not a right-wing organization. We take anybody that comes," Perry said in a debate last month, according to local media. The critics expressed concern over Perry's votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act - Obama's signature health care program - and its insurance protections for people with preexisting medical conditions. Former state Representative Steve Nickol told Reuters that he supported Perry during his first run for Congress but was dismayed to see him become "radically partisan" in Washington. "I've talked to even some elected (Republican) officials who are kind of upset with the way things are and feel that Scott (Perry) is a little too extreme in some of his positions," Nickol said. "They're not about to come out and endorse George, even though they've told me in private that they'll vote for him."

Democrats' road to controlling US House runs through Pennsylvania

A budget plan crucial to President Donald Trump&#39;s hopes for large-scale tax cuts looked set for a close vote in the US&nbsp;House of Representatives on Thursday after some Republicans vowed opposition in an effort to protect a popular tax break.

The rebellious faction is resisting a proposal to eliminate a federal deduction for state and local income taxes, which would hit middle-class voters in high-tax states like New York, New Jersey and California.

The idea is one of several that have been floated as Republicans craft a tax-cut plan. The budget blueprint, which has already been approved by the Senate, is central to their efforts to push tax legislation through Congress in the face of staunch opposition from Democrats.

The proposal &quot;is obviously an issue of concern to a group of members, and the shared goal is to work together to address the issue and move forward,&quot; an aide to House Majority Whip Steve Scalise said on Wednesday.

With the clock ticking toward a vote, the impasse had yet to be settled. Republican lawmakers had planned to meet in House Speaker Paul Ryan&#39;s office at 9 pm&nbsp;to try to hammer out a resolution, but the meeting was postponed until after the budget vote, which was set for 10:30 am.&nbsp;

Republican Representative Tom MacArthur of New Jersey told reporters it was possible there were enough votes to block the budget plan. &quot;It&#39;s got to be close,&quot; he said.

Scalise predicted victory. &quot;We&#39;re going to get it done,&quot; he told Fox News Channel.

Republicans have sketched out a tax package that independent analysts say would cut taxes for businesses and individuals by up to $6 trillion over the next decade, but detailed legislation is not expected to be unveiled until next week.

If Congress approves a tax-cut plan, it would hand Trump his first major legislative win since he took office in January.

&quot;I am urging Republicans who have questions about SALT (the state and local tax deduction) to vote no tomorrow, and keep voting no until we get some compromise we can live with,&quot; Republican Representative Peter King of New York told Reuters.

An aide to Republican Representative Tom Reed of New York said there was discussion of a compromise that would call for a tax credit up to a certain income amount to replace the deduction, and that he would support it.

Republican Representative Leonard Lance of New Jersey told Reuters he was not interested in a compromise at this time, and instead wanted the repeal provision taken off the table.

&quot;I will be voting no on the budget tomorrow,&quot; he said.

A budget plan crucial to President Donald Trump's hopes for large-scale tax cuts looked set for a close vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday after some Republicans vowed opposition in an effort to protect a popular tax break.

A budget plan crucial to President Donald Trump's hopes for large-scale tax cuts looked set for a close vote in the US House of Representatives on Thursday after some Republicans vowed opposition in an effort to protect a popular tax break. The rebellious faction is resisting a proposal to eliminate a federal deduction for state and local income taxes, which would hit middle-class voters in high-tax states like New York, New Jersey and California. The idea is one of several that have been floated as Republicans craft a tax-cut plan. The budget blueprint, which has already been approved by the Senate, is central to their efforts to push tax legislation through Congress in the face of staunch opposition from Democrats. The proposal "is obviously an issue of concern to a group of members, and the shared goal is to work together to address the issue and move forward," an aide to House Majority Whip Steve Scalise said on Wednesday. With the clock ticking toward a vote, the impasse had yet to be settled. Republican lawmakers had planned to meet in House Speaker Paul Ryan's office at 9 pm to try to hammer out a resolution, but the meeting was postponed until after the budget vote, which was set for 10:30 am. Republican Representative Tom MacArthur of New Jersey told reporters it was possible there were enough votes to block the budget plan. "It's got to be close," he said. Scalise predicted victory. "We're going to get it done," he told Fox News Channel. Republicans have sketched out a tax package that independent analysts say would cut taxes for businesses and individuals by up to $6 trillion over the next decade, but detailed legislation is not expected to be unveiled until next week. If Congress approves a tax-cut plan, it would hand Trump his first major legislative win since he took office in January. "I am urging Republicans who have questions about SALT (the state and local tax deduction) to vote no tomorrow, and keep voting no until we get some compromise we can live with," Republican Representative Peter King of New York told Reuters. An aide to Republican Representative Tom Reed of New York said there was discussion of a compromise that would call for a tax credit up to a certain income amount to replace the deduction, and that he would support it. Republican Representative Leonard Lance of New Jersey told Reuters he was not interested in a compromise at this time, and instead wanted the repeal provision taken off the table. "I will be voting no on the budget tomorrow," he said.

Republican tax fight complicates plan to pass budget in US House

The US&nbsp;House of Representatives voted on Monday to require law enforcement authorities to obtain a search warrant before seeking old emails from technology companies, a win for privacy advocates fearful the Trump administration may work to expand government surveillance powers.

The House passed the measure by a voice vote. But the legislation was expected to encounter resistance in the Senate, where it failed to advance last year amid opposition by a handful of Republican lawmakers after the House passed it unanimously.

Technology companies such as Microsoft have lobbied Congress for years to pass the Email Privacy Act, which updates a decades-old law to force authorities to first get a warrant to access emails or other digital communications that are at least 180 days old.

Currently, agencies such as the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission only need a subpoena, which is subject to less judicial oversight than a warrant, to seek such data from a service provider - a standard that has existed since the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) was adopted in 1986.

Supporters of the bill passed&nbsp;say it is needed to update an out of date law conceived and written before the rise of the commercial internet.

Richard Salgado, director of law enforcement and information security at Google, said in a statement the measure would &quot;fix a constitutional flaw&quot; in the ECPA. &quot;While there are disagreements about other aspects of surveillance reform, there is no disagreement that emails and electronic content deserve Fourth Amendment protections,&quot; he said.

But some senators, including No 2 Republican John Cornyn, last year sought to use the legislation as a vehicle for amendments that would expand the FBI&#39;s domestic surveillance capabilities, effectively killing the bill.

The debate over law enforcement access to Americans&#39; electronic communications intensified last year when the FBI sought a court order to make Apple help unlock an encrypted iPhone linked to one of the shooters behind a deadly attack in San Bernardino, California.

Privacy advocates have expressed alarm at President Donald Trump&#39;s ability to expand government spying. The Republican campaigned on a &quot;law and order&quot; platform that included suggestions he may want to place some mosques in the United States under surveillance and maintain a national database on Muslims.

Microsoft last year filed a federal lawsuit against the Justice Department over ECPA, alleging that the government&#39;s use of the law violated the U.S. constitution.

It argued that ECPA is too often used to prevent companies from notifying its users, sometimes indefinitely, when investigators pry into emails and other data stored on remote servers.

(Reuters)

Technology companies such as Microsoft have lobbied Congress for years to pass the Email Privacy Act

The US House of Representatives voted on Monday to require law enforcement authorities to obtain a search warrant before seeking old emails from technology companies, a win for privacy advocates fearful the Trump administration may work to expand government surveillance powers. The House passed the measure by a voice vote. But the legislation was expected to encounter resistance in the Senate, where it failed to advance last year amid opposition by a handful of Republican lawmakers after the House passed it unanimously. Technology companies such as Microsoft have lobbied Congress for years to pass the Email Privacy Act, which updates a decades-old law to force authorities to first get a warrant to access emails or other digital communications that are at least 180 days old. Currently, agencies such as the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission only need a subpoena, which is subject to less judicial oversight than a warrant, to seek such data from a service provider - a standard that has existed since the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) was adopted in 1986. Supporters of the bill passed say it is needed to update an out of date law conceived and written before the rise of the commercial internet. Richard Salgado, director of law enforcement and information security at Google, said in a statement the measure would "fix a constitutional flaw" in the ECPA. "While there are disagreements about other aspects of surveillance reform, there is no disagreement that emails and electronic content deserve Fourth Amendment protections," he said. But some senators, including No 2 Republican John Cornyn, last year sought to use the legislation as a vehicle for amendments that would expand the FBI's domestic surveillance capabilities, effectively killing the bill. The debate over law enforcement access to Americans' electronic communications intensified last year when the FBI sought a court order to make Apple help unlock an encrypted iPhone linked to one of the shooters behind a deadly attack in San Bernardino, California. Privacy advocates have expressed alarm at President Donald Trump's ability to expand government spying. The Republican campaigned on a "law and order" platform that included suggestions he may want to place some mosques in the United States under surveillance and maintain a national database on Muslims. Microsoft last year filed a federal lawsuit against the Justice Department over ECPA, alleging that the government's use of the law violated the U.S. constitution. It argued that ECPA is too often used to prevent companies from notifying its users, sometimes indefinitely, when investigators pry into emails and other data stored on remote servers. (Reuters)

US House passes bill requiring warrants for email searches

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Nancy Pelosi seen closing in on US House speakership

In bid for top US House job, Pelosi makes room for others

Democrats' road to controlling US House runs through Pennsylvania

Republican tax fight complicates plan to pass budget in US House

US House passes bill requiring warrants for email searches