3 percent repeal bill approved in House

The House on Wednesday evening easily approved a Senate-amended bill that would repeal a rule requiring governments at all levels to withhold 3 percent of payments to contractors.

The bill, H.R. 674, pays for this change by scaling back eligibility for Medicaid and other healthcare programs, to make eligibility rules consistent with other federal rules. It also expands unemployment aid for veterans, and creates new tax breaks for companies that hire veterans.

The bill was worked out by House and Senate leaders last week, and thus passage was assured. Republicans brought up the non-controversial bill for a vote under a suspension of the rules, requiring a two-thirds majority vote, and it passed easily, 422-0.

House passage moves the bill to the White House for President Obama's signature.

Immediately after that vote, members approve four bills naming post offices around the country: H.R. 3004, H.R. 2660, HR. 2415, and H.R. 1791.