Before the session began, House security officers were told to seal and sweep the chamber for listening devices, and to ensure reporters were cleared from the premises.

A vote on the wiretapping bill was expected on Friday. The White House opposes the legislation because it does not provide a legal shield to telecommunications firms that cooperated in government eavesdropping after the September 11 attacks.

The House let a similar previous law expire on February 16 after it refused to rubber stamp a Senate bill that would have given telecommunication companies immunity from prosecution.

Now the new version will grant immunity from future prosecution. If the House bill is passed, it is unlikely to make it through the Senate.

“Companies that helped us save lives should be thanked for their patriotic service, not subjected to billion-dollar lawsuits that will make them less willing to help in future,”

President Bush said earlier. “They should not leave for their Easter recess without getting the Senate bill to my desk.” Some companies are expected to react on this bill with their take on the issue.