The issue focused on legislation requiring presidential authorization before intelligence agencies use lethal force against suspected terrorists overseas. Lawmakers argued that law enforcement authorities already need judicial approval for counterterrorism operations and pointed out that courts had blocked laws authorizing drone strikes in Yemen.

Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire opposed the proposal. Graham called it "another legislative setback to stop terrorism," while Ayotte said she supported legislation prohibiting drones from striking terrorist suspects abroad without court authorization.

Administration officials defended