The issue focused on a few issues. One was whether it's acceptable for the government to collect the phone records of millions of Americans, without probable cause, and whether the surveillance practices in place are appropriate and effective.

The other question was whether, in a time of growing national concern over privacy, the government should retain the data collected from millions of phone calls. That is the subject of another hearing before the Intelligence Committee next week.

"The issue was about whether the government should retain records of phone