[JURIST] Leaders in the US House and Senate are still working to reach a compromise on legislation [bill summary] that would reauthorize portions of the USA PATRIOT Act [PDF text; JURIST news archive] which are set to expire at the end of this year, though officials say they are moving closer to a deal. Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee has said that House members have agreed to a four-year sunset clause for provisions that allow FBI access to library and business records and that authorize roving wiretaps. Specter said the White House has been pressing for House members to compromise and that Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, is supporting the latest proposal. Sensenbrenner's office, however, stressed that a final deal has not yet been reached. Thursday's Washington Post has more. Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committee provide background materials and Rep. John Conyers, ranking Democrat on the committee, has additional resources on Patriot Act renewal.

Previously in JURIST's Paper Chase...

• Specter blocks deal to extend Patriot Act, calls for revisions
• Patriot Act legislation stalls as six senators threaten to block reauthorization
• Congress reaches compromise on Patriot Act renewal that curbs FBI power
• Patriot Act renewal deal would institute judicial review of powers