This vote focused on the rules for debating a bill that would extend the government's ability to conduct foreign surveillance. The underlying legislation, the FISA Amendments Act, allows intelligence agencies to collect emails and phone calls of non-citizens located outside the United States without an individual warrant. While intended to track foreign threats, the program is controversial because it frequently sweeps up the private communications of Americans who are in contact with people abroad. Ordering the "previous question" is a common step in the House of Representatives to stop further discussion and prevent anyone from adding new ideas or changes to the current proposal. Think of it as a motion to stop talking and start voting. If this motion fails, the opposing party usually gets the chance to take control of the floor and rewrite the rules for the day. Because it passed, the majority party kept control over the schedule. The motion passed by a very narrow margin of 211 to 210, reflecting a sharp divide between the two parties. This success allowed the House to proceed immediately to a vote on the formal "rule" for the surveillance bill. This step is a necessary hurdle that must be cleared before the House can hold a final vote on whether or not to extend the surveillance program itself.