Washington ? Key Republicans from the House and Senate reached a White House-backed compromise Thursday to renew the broad powers granted to law enforcement agencies in the days after the 2001 terrorist attacks on American soil.

GOP leaders pledged to pass the Patriot Act extension for President Bush’s signature by the holidays, although bipartisan criticism flared. Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis., threatened to filibuster a bill he said lacked adequate safeguards to protect constitutional freedoms.

“We hammered out what I think is a good bill. … Not a perfect bill, but a good bill,” said Sen. Arlen Specter, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who announced the compromise.

Important parts involve the ability of law enforcement officials to gain access to a wealth of personal data, including library records, as part of investigations into suspected terrorist activity.

The measure provides a four-year extension of the government’s ability to conduct roving wiretaps, which may involve multiple phones, and to seek access to many of the personal records covered by the bill.

Critics from the left and right said it was a bad deal.

“Taking away our rights does not make us safer,” said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., one of several lawmakers in both parties demanding changes.