The Sticking Point Of The Patriot Act: Section 215

Published May 20, 2015 at 1:06 PM EDT

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) talks to reporters with Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Sen. John Thune (R-SD) after the weekly Senate GOP policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol May 19, 2015 in Washington, D.C. Although he does not support the House version of the Patriot Act reauthorization, McConnell said the Senate would go forward with a vote on the legislation that would eliminate the bulk data collection programs, which were exposed by Edward Snowden. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Three sections of the post-September 11th Patriot Act will expire on June 1. One of those sections, Section 215, was the one former NSA contractor Edward Snowden brought to light concerning the bulk collection of American’s telephone records, and the one that the Senate will vote on this week.

The House already passed an alternative act, the USA Freedom Act, which would restrict the controversial bulk collection of phone records, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants to pass an extension for the Senate to debate this hot issue when members are back from break.

NPR Congressional Correspondent Ailsa Chang breaks it down with Here & Now’s Jeremy Hobson.

Guest

Ailsa Chang, congressional correspondent for NPR. She tweets @ailsachang.