Senate Republicans Wednesday evening tentatively signed onto an agreement that will fully reauthorize the Patriot Act in its current form but also allows lawmakers to revisit controversial parts of the act that are subject to extensive opposition.

From FOXNews:

According to the deal reached late Wednesday, the 16 expiring provisions of the Patriot Act would be renewed for four years, but House and Senate leaders would allow changes in the law to be submitted for an up or down vote by May 31, 2006.

The deal does not mean the bill will be changed next year, particularly as that requires a high threshold to overcome, but it did earn the support of four key Republicans � Sens. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, Larry Craig of Idaho, John Sununu of New Hampshire and Lisa Murkowksi of Alaska. All four helped block a final vote on a compromise bill offered by House and Senate negotiators last week.