[JURIST] AP is reporting that four holdout Senate Republicans have reached a tentative agreement with the White House on the renewal of the USA Patriot Act [PDF text; JURIST news archive], according to Congressional sources. Several provisions [DOJ report, PDF] of the anti-terror law were set to expire at the end of last year but members of Congress were unable to reach an agreement [JURIST report] on a long-term extension before Christmas, and instead passed a one-month extension [JURIST report] that would expire February 3.

A second extension was approved [JURIST report] last week, keeping the provisions in force until March 10. Four Senate Republicans had joined with Democratic senators in opposition to long-term renewal legislation [JURIST report] that did not incorporate greater protections for civil liberties. Further details on the agreement are expected to be announced later Thursday. AP has more.