Democrats in the House of Representatives reluctantly handed the Bush administration a victory this weekend with the passage of a bill that expands the government’s ability to eavesdrop on foreign suspects without warrants.

Nancy Pelosi, House speaker, had said the bill contained “unacceptable” provisions, but it was passed 227-183 after a campaign by the White House and congressional Republicans who argued that failure to pass the bill, which expires in six months, would leave the US vulnerable to terrorist attacks. Democrats are wary of being perceived as weak on national security.