Washington (CNN) Lawmakers are close to reaching a deal on the annual defense authorization bill that for the first time will include paid family leave for federal workers.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Democratic negotiators have secured a tentative agreement for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to include a significant provision requiring 12 weeks of paid parental leave for all federal employees, a congressional source familiar with the negotiations told CNN. A Republican source also confirmed that paid leave would be included in the bill, which is not yet finished.

Republicans have resisted including the measure in the bill, according to the congressional source. The Washington Post on Friday, citing four people with knowledge of the deal, reported the paid family leave provision was agreed to in exchange for making " Space Force " the sixth branch of the US military.

Ivanka Trump, President Donald Trump's daughter and senior adviser, however, expressed strong support for the provision on behalf of the White House.

"As the country's largest employer, the United States Government must lead by example. After 3 years of relentless advocacy, the passage of the NDAA will secure Paid Parental Leave for ALL federal employees," she said in a statement on Friday. "This will mark a HUGE step forward towards making paid leave a reality for all Americans. This new policy represents another incredible win for millions of hard-working American families courtesy of President Trump!"

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