That could result in the brain-damaged woman's feeding tube being reinserted after it has been removed the third time.

Also Saturday, four men were arrested on misdemeanor trespassing charges when they made a show of attempting to enter Hospice House Woodside, saying they wanted to bring Schiavo water and communion wafers.

Late Friday and through much of the day Saturday, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Democratic leader Harry Reid hammered out compromise legislation that will go to the House this afternoon. Saturday evening, Congress member were returning to Washington, after having left town Friday for Easter recess.

President Bush also changed his schedule and planned to fly today from Crawford, Texas, to Washington to sign the bill.

The action on Capitol Hill came a day after a local judge rejected a congressional committee's request that he delay Friday's court-ordered removal of Schiavo's feeding tube so it could conduct an investigation.

Circuit Judge George Greer's ruling that congressional subpoenas do not trump five years of Florida court rulings was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined to get involved.

Party Politics Bubble Under Surface

Congressional leaders said they hoped both houses can pass compromise legislation so that it can be on President Bush's desk for his signature as soon as possible.

``We are confident that this compromise addresses everyone's concerns,'' House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, a Texas Republican, said at a news conference. ``We are confident it will ... restore nutrition and hydration to Miss Schiavo.''

A memo from GOP leaders meant to be seen only by Republican senators pointed out the political ramifications of the Schiavo debate and how it could help them with Christian conservatives in the 2006 midterm elections. According to The Washington Post, the memo singled out Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Tallahassee, who is up for re-election next year.

``This is an important moral issue and the pro-life base will be excited that the Senate is debating this important issue,'' said the memo, which was reported by ABC News and later given to the Post. ``This is a great political issue, because Senator Nelson of Florida has already refused to become a cosponsor and this is a tough issue for Democrats.''

The agreement by Sens. Frist and Reid allows the House of Representatives to reassemble to pass the Senate version of legislation that would allow representatives of Terri Schiavo to seek a review of her case by the federal courts. The agreement calls for a law that would allow a federal district judge to consider a claim ``by or on behalf of Mrs. Schiavo'' for alleged violations of constitutional rights or federal laws because of ``withholding or withdrawal'' of food, fluids, or medical treatment needed to sustain her life, the legislation states.

The House is to meet at 1 p.m. today, ``in the hope of receiving unanimous consent'' to consider the Schiavo measure. In case of an objection, under House rules the issue can be brought up again after midnight.

DeLay acknowledged uncertainty about whether congressional action would withstand a challenge in the courts, setting the stage for a new chapter in the showdown between branches of government and state courts and federal lawmakers.

Activists Attempt To Nourish Patient

Outside the Pinellas Park hospice where Schiavo has lived her feeding tube was first removed in April 2001, a group of activists maintained an around-the-clock vigil Saturday.

Shortly before 11 a.m., three men led by former Green Beret commander and presidential candidate Bo Gritz made a show of attempting to enter the hospice to provide Schiavo with water and communion wafers.

The trio, Gritz, 66; Leon Riche, 61; and David Vogel, 47; were met by a row of Pinellas Park Police officers.

``We want to come forward, make an offering to her,'' Gritz told police. ``We're not gonna harm her or harm you.''

The men refused to leave when asked and were arrested, while some onlookers repeatedly shouted ``Let Terri live.''

Later in the day, John McDougall, 62, also attempted to bring water to Schiavo and was charged with trespassing. McDougall, a former Lee County sheriff, received national attention in 1999-2000 for his personal antiabortion and religious education essays on his office Web site. He posted $250 bail and was released from the Pinellas County Jail.

The other remained at the jail Saturday night, with bail set at $250 each.

A spokesman for Schiavo's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, said the men were not connected with the vigil and that the couple wanted everyone to remain peaceful and obey the law.

About noon, Mary Schindler made a rare address to the news media, begging Congress to save her daughter's life.

``We laugh together. We cry together. We smile together,'' Schindler said, surrounded by supporters. ``We talk to her. She is my life. Please, please, please save my little girl.''

Michael Schiavo criticized the congressional action during an appearance Saturday on NBC's ``Today'' show.

His attorney, George Felos, also appearing on ``Today,'' said any legislation that interferes with a person's right to refuse medical treatment will be declared unconstitutional.

Michael Schiavo was at his wife's bedside after the tube was removed and said he felt that ``peace was happening'' for her. ``And I felt like she was finally going to get what she wants, and be at peace and be with the Lord,'' he said.

Michael Schiavo and the Schindlers have been locked in a bitter court battle over Terri Schiavo's wishes for almost seven years.

After a January 2000 nonjury trial, Greer ruled that testimony from Schiavo and his relatives showed Terri Schiavo made statements before her illness indicating she would not want to be kept alive in her current condition.

Schiavo's doctors say she has been in a persistent vegetative state since her heart failed, cutting off oxygen to her brain, in February 1990 when she was 26. The Schindlers dispute that diagnosis and say their daughter reacts to them and could improve.

Reporter Patricia Kim contributed to this report. Information from The Associated Press and The Washington Post was used in this report.