Washington  - The US House of Representatives passed a bill Friday authorizing the Bush administration to eavesdrop on Americans in an effort to prevent terrorist attacks.

The House voted 193-129 on the bill allowing the intelligence community to use broad warrants to listen in on foreign targets and could tap into US communications in some cases without a warrant - if it is determined that important national security operations would be lost.

Republican and Democratic leaders reached a deal after more than a year of wrangling with the Bush administration, which argues that the practice is vital to protect the country from terrorist attacks.

The legislation, known as the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, gives legal immunity to telephone companies that receive valid government requests to participate in the eavesdropping.

Majority Democrats touted the compromise as a success that assists national security while protecting the rights of US citizens. The Senate is expected to take up the bill next week.

House Democrats in February allowed a temporary surveillance measure to expire. (dpa)