Senate tees up defense bill for vote after recess

The Senate plans to vote on the fiscal year 2021 defense authorization bill when Congress returns from the July 4 recess, according to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-OK).

Inhofe said on the Senate floor today that Republicans and Democrats have come to agreement on a number of amendments and plan to pass the legislation when they come back in two weeks.

"I feel very good about the progress we're making," he said. "When we come back from this Fourth of July recess, we're going to be able to finish it and it should be in good shape. . . . We'll set up so when we come back from the recess, we'll be able to pass this bill."

Meanwhile, the House Armed Services Committee passed its version of the bill late last night. That bill will now advance to the House Rules Committee and then to the full House for a final vote in the coming weeks.

A final bill agreed upon by the House and Senate is not expected to reach President Trump's desk until this fall.