Washington: The White House denounced the US Senate Sunday for its "irresponsible" failure to prevent a lapse in crucial counterterror operations, but said it hoped lawmakers could put aside partisanship and swiftly rectify the problem.
"We call on the Senate to ensure this irresponsible lapse in authorities is as short-lived as possible," White House press secretary Joshua Earnest said in a statement, after lawmakers were unable to finalize a bill by midnight Sunday that ends the controversial bulk telephone collection program, while maintaining other key provisions.