The Obama administration, saying that Congress is addressing the issue, urged the U.S. Supreme Court to delay consideration of the government's bid to block the release of dozens of photographs that show abuse of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The House yesterday approved a measure that would bar release of the photos, and the Senate is due to take up the matter next week. The measure is attached to legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

"In light of these additional legislative developments, the court may conclude that it would be appropriate to reschedule its consideration" of the government's appeal to take up the issue, U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan said in a letter to the Supreme Court clerk. Kagan represents the administration at the court.

The justices are scheduled to announce actions in pending appeals next week.

The administration is challenging a federal appeals court decision favoring the American Civil Liberties Union, which is seeking the photos under the Freedom of Information Act.

The government contends that releasing them would incite violence against U.S. troops overseas. Some of the photos show troops pointing guns at hooded or handcuffed prisoners, and at least one depicts a soldier holding a broom as if preparing to stick it in the rectum of a hooded man.

The administration originally said it wouldn't appeal the lower court ruling. In April, White House press secretary

The administration switched course in August, appealing to the Supreme Court and citing the concerns of top commanders, including Generals David Petraeus and Raymond Odierno.

Congressional approval of the measure to ban release of the photos probably would prompt the high court to decline to take the case.