Compromise defense bill nearing completion

House and Senate lawmakers are set to soon release a compromise version of the annual defense authorization bill in the hopes it can pass both chambers this week, according to multiple congressional aides.

Presently, the legislation is being worked through the House Rules Committee, which is expected to release text of the bill Tuesday, aides said.

The legislation process typically used to pass the bill stalled last week when senators became mired in partisan arguing over amendments. Now, leaders from the House and Senate Armed Services committees intend to release their own compromise version of the bill for final votes in both chambers.

While the House hopes to schedule the first votes on the bill as soon as Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) told Democrats in a “dear colleague” letter to expect final consideration of the bill this week, along with possible weekend votes.

The compromise version of the bill is expected to authorize around $778 billion in defense spending, $25 billion more than the White House requested.