Musicians and broadcasters are gearing up for the next step in their high-pitched battle over royalties now that Senate and House committees have approved bills that would force radio stations to pay performers for playing their songs.

Both sides are expected to intensify their efforts, with musicians and record labels mustering support for a full vote on the measure in both chambers and broadcasters endeavoring to prevent the bill from progressing.

Although the proposal has been debated for years, it has now advanced further than ever before. Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the Performance Rights Act, which requires radio stations to pay royalties to performers. A similar bill was approved by the House Judiciary Committee earlier this year.

The MusicFirst Coalition, which includes artist groups as well as the Recording Industry Association of America, hailed the Senate committee action as unprecedented. Martin Machowsky, a spokesman for the group, said the coalition will be ratcheting up the lobbying effort to get the legislation up for full House and Senate consideration.

“Our next step is to work with our champions on the Hill,” he said, noting that “this is an issue that crosses party lines.”

The backers of the legislation include an unusual bipartisan mix. On the Senate side, the bill is supported by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, as well as a senior Republican on that panel, Sen. Orrin Hatch (Utah).

In the House, the measure was sponsored not only by John Conyers (D-Mich.), the liberal chairman of the Judiciary Committee, but also by GOP partisan firebrand Darrell Issa (Calif.), ranking member on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) is also sponsoring the bill.