| THE TOPLINE: Washington is awaiting the release of a $1.3 trillion government spending bill -- $700 billion of which is for defense --- with just days to go before the government would shutdown. As of Wednesday evening, the text of the so-called omnibus has not been released despite congressional leaders saying in the morning it was imminent and the White House signing off in the afternoon. The Hill's Melanie Zanona and Mike Lillis with the latest on Capitol Hill: After weeks of tense negotiations and drawn-out debate, leaders of both parties on Wednesday said that they've all but finalized an agreement on a massive package to fund the government through September and prevent a shutdown on Saturday. "We're finalizing the details and I feel like we're in a very good place," Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said as he left his Capitol office after meeting with the other top leaders of both parties. He said the final omnibus package would be released "very soon." Emerging from the meeting moments before, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said a deal is imminent. "We're feeling very good about this," Schumer said. "We've accomplished many, many, many of our goals. When it's unveiled, you will see. We're not going to get into any more details." The Republicans' self-imposed three-day rule stipulates that Friday is the earliest they could bring the bill to the floor, but the House Rules Committee has said it will be waived to allow for an earlier vote. Ryan has told lawmakers that the House will vote on the omnibus Thursday, according to sources. Read more here. And The Hill's Jordan Fabian reports on the White House signing on: President Trump on Wednesday threw his support behind a $1.3 trillion spending bill, defying House conservatives and handing a victory to GOP congressional leaders. The White House announced Trump's backing after he discussed the proposed deal with Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). "The president and the leaders discussed their support for the bill, which includes more funds to rebuild the military, such as the largest pay raise for our troops in a decade, more than 100 miles of new construction for the border wall and other key domestic priorities, like combatting the opioid crisis and rebuilding our nation's infrastructure," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. Read more here. TOP GENERALS TALK SYRIA WITH RUSSIA: The top U.S. military officer spoke with his Russian counterpart Wednesday about Syria, where U.S. and Russian forces are staring each other down on opposite sides of the Euphrates River. The Hill Ellen Mitchell reports: Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford on Wednesday spoke with his Russian counterpart about the situation in Syria, the second such call within 10 days. America's top military officer spoke to Russian General Staff Chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov about "Syria and other issues of mutual concern," according to a statement from Dunford's spokesman, Air Force Col. Patrick Ryder. "In accordance with past practice, both have agreed to keep the details of their conversation private," the statement added. Dunford last spoke to Gerasimov on March 13, after Gerasimov earlier that day threatened to target U.S. troops in Syria if they moved against the use of chemical weapons by the government of Bashar al-Assad. The Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement Wednesday that Gerasimov also spoke on the phone with U.S. European Command head Army Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, who is also the NATO Supreme Allied Commander-Europe. Read the rest here. THE OTHER CALL TO RUSSIA: President Trump on Wednesday defended congratulating Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election, while the conversation in the White House turned to anger over a leak that Trump's national security team advised against the congratulations. The Hill's Jordan Fabian reports: A furor erupted at the White House on Wednesday over a damaging leak that revealed President Trump defied his aides' advice during a congratulatory phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The White House raised the prospect of a staff purge over the disclosure, saying in a statement that it would be a "fireable offense and likely illegal" to give Trump's briefing papers to the news media. Chief of staff John Kelly was "frustrated and deeply disappointed" by the leak, a White House official told The Hill. The official refused to say whether the White House has launched a formal investigation into the incident. Read more here. The Hill's Jonathan Easley has more on Trump's tweet defending the call here. BILL PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON A.I. THREATS: A key lawmaker wants to prepare the country for threats posed by artificial intelligence. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), chairwoman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, introduced a bill Wednesday that would create an independent commission to study the country's AI national security needs. "Artificial intelligence is a constantly developing technology that will likely touch every aspect of our lives," Stefanik said in a statement Wednesday. "This legislation I have introduced today will develop a commission to review advances in AI, identify our nation's AI needs and make actionable recommendations of what direction we need to take." She added that she hopes to fold the bill into the annual defense policy bill, which the committee is expected to work on in April and May. Read more here. ON TAP FOR TOMORROW: A House Armed Services subcommittee will have a hearing on the fiscal 2019 budget request for nuclear forces with testimony from officials at 9 a.m. at the Rayburn House Office Building, room 2118. http://bit.ly/2pfEx9M Energy Secretary Rick Perry will testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee about the department's atomic energy defense program at 10 a.m. at the Hart Senate Office Building, room 216. http://bit.ly/2pkcDth A House Armed Services subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Pentagon's strategy, policy and programs for countering weapons of mass destruction at 10:30 a.m. at Rayburn 2212. http://bit.ly/2tQsVyN ICYMI: -- The Hill: GOP senator blocking Trump's Intel nominee -- The Hill: Poll: Majority confident in diplomatic solution with North Korea -- The Hill: South Korean president raises possibility of three-way talks with US, North Korea -- Defense News: Norway could agree to additional US Marine presence by summer -- Associated Press: Syrian rebels to evacuate opposition-held town in Ghouta The Hill's Ellen Mitchell will be moderating a conversation with Gen. David Petraeus for the Veterans in Global Leadership's annual fundraiser on Thursday evening at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce building in Washington. Tickets and information for the event can be found here. | 
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