House GOP leaders are planning to pass the annual defense policy bill late Wednesday afternoon, according to three people granted anonymity to comment on the scheduling ahead of an official announcement.
GOP leaders unveiled text of the 3,086-page bill Sunday evening and are already facing public pushback from hard-line conservatives over the inclusion of Ukraine funding, the omission of a Federal Reserve digital currency ban and other issues.
While Speaker Mike Johnson can likely count on support from some Democrats on the final vote, he first must keep his own party together on a procedural vote expected earlier Wednesday afternoon.
To build unity, House GOP leaders are touting a variety of conservative wins in the final bill, including provisions taking aim at diversity and equity programs in the ranks. They also are declaring victory on measures that crack down on U.S. investment in China and repeal decades-old Middle East war powers authorizations.
But some conservatives could be turned off by leaders’ decision to drop some social policy riders as well as the inclusion of language that restricts Trump from significantly reducing U.S. troop levels in Europe.
Connor O’Brien contributed to this report.
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