WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A special commission of Poland's Senate has summarily reviewed and approved a contentious bill that gives politicians influence on the nation's top court, with a Senate vote on it expected later in the day.

The commission's late night session was accompanied by street protests by tens of thousands of people in Warsaw and other cities, with demonstrators demanding the bill's repeal before it becomes law. The bill was proposed by the ruling populist Law and Justice party that controls the lower house of parliament and the Senate.

The content of the proposed law, and speed with which it was rushed through parliament has drawn condemnation from the European Union, Poland's opposition and other critics.

Adopted by the lower house Thursday, the law awaits approval by senators and President Andrzej Duda.