On Capitol Hill, House lawmakers have passed a diluted version of a bill to curb dragnet surveillance by the National Security Agency by keeping telephone metadata in the hands of phone companies. But critics, including The New York Times editorial board, say the bill has been so weakened under pressure from the Obama administration that it could allow much of the bulk surveillance to continue. In fact, an analysis by The Washington Post found half of the 152 lawmakers who co-sponsored the original bill have turned against the latest version. Republican Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin acknowledged some weaknesses.

Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner: “Let me be clear: I wish this bill did more. To my colleagues who will lament the changes, I agree with you. The privacy groups who are upset about lost provisions, I share your disappointment. The negotiations for this bill were intense. We had to make compromises. But this bill still does deserve support. Don’t let the perfect become the enemy of the good.”