
House and Senate negotiators are nearing completion of the long-delayed fiscal year 2017 defense appropriations conference report, and the House expects to begin floor consideration of the legislation next week, congressional officials said March 1.Due to political gridlock, Congress was unable to complete the bill before leaving town last year. The Department of Defense has been running on a series of continuing resolutions since FY 2017 began Oct. 1. While trying to finish the regular appropriations bill, Congress awaits the Trump…