House To Tackle Jobs Agenda Item Next Week

Appearing on the House’s legislative calendar for next week is a bill aimed at providing relief to government contractors.

H.R. 674, introduced back in February by Rep. Wally Herger (R-Calif.), would repeal a law that requires federal, state and local governments to withhold three percent of payments to vendors they do business with.

Though the tax has not yet been implemented by the IRS, Herger told his colleagues on the House Ways and Means Committee last week that passing his measure would give “businesses the assurance that it’s safe to invest, grow, and hire more workers.”

According to the website of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), the lower chamber could start debate on the bill as early as Tuesday.

With the House off all this week, the Senate took up its version of the bill — labeled the Withholding Tax Relief Act — last night. Though the measure enjoyed support from both sides, it failed to earn the 60 votes necessary to pass.

Afterwards, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) expressed frustration.

“It’s hard to understand why Democrats would block this bipartisan effort to protect jobs,” he said. “Tonight’s vote underscores that Senate Democrat leadership simply isn’t interested in passing bipartisan legislation that can actually help our job creators expand their businesses and hire new workers.”