The House of Representatives Thursday passed overwhelmingly a masure to repeal a planned government withholding on contractor payments, a bill considered particularly important to the small business community.
And it was a piece of President Barack Obama's job package, albeit a small one.
Under current law, federal, state and local governments are to withhold 3 percent of funds going to its contractors. Critics argued the provision, which is scheduled to go into effect in 2013, would yield little revenue, but become a burden on business.
Lawmakers from both parties agreed, as the House voted 405 to 16 to back the provision.
There was less enthusiasm, though, for the legislation that would pay for the repeal. The House passed, 262 to 157, curbing eligibility for some government health programs.
The measures now go to the Senate.
Comments