SENATE HAS VOTES TO EXTEND NSA “METADATA” COLLECTION:  The Senate is back in session today, trying to reach compromise on the controversial provision of the Patriot Act–section 215, which has been used to collect cell phone “metadata” (phone numbers called; time/duration of calls). This provision of the Patriot Act will expire automatically at midnight (June 1) if the Senate fails to do something.

Senator Rand Paul is still withholding consent to move forward on the measure, and this may mean the provision will expire, at least temporarily, though there is a majority of Senators who now appear willing to approve the House version of the reauthorization, which would allow such metadata to be collected and stored by private phone companies rather than the NSA.

UPDATE:  More on Paul’s procedural maneuvering here.