Today in Congress: House Set to Consider Year-End Tax Package

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has queued up another attempt to vote on a year-end tax package (text; summary) this week following an additional revamp designed to win broader support. The latest version of the bill restores an extension of two expired tax breaks: one for a biodiesel tax credit and another for a railroad track maintenance credit. The bill also contains a host of key health care provisions — including a five-year delay of the medical device tax (until Dec. 31, 2024), a two-year delay for the health insurance tax (until Dec. 31, 2021), and a one-year delay for the “Cadillac” tax (until Dec. 31, 2022) — as well as measures that aim to provide relief for disaster victims and promote incentives for retirement savings. While the bill may have enough support in the House, its future in the Senate remains murky as lawmakers prioritize a resolution to break government funding gridlock. 

Meanwhile, the Senate will look to continue work on the legislative vehicle (S. 756) for comprehensive criminal justice reform. Senators have queued up votes on amendments from opponents of the bill for today ahead of a possible final vote later this week that would send the legislation to the House, where it's expected to be approved. The Senate is also expected to hold a cloture vote on the nomination of Joseph Maguire to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center. 

When the House returns tomorrow, lawmakers will tackle eight bills under suspension of the rules. This slate includes a bill (H.R. 7279) that would amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide for an integrated planning process and to promote green infrastructure. The House will also look to pass government funding legislation once a deal has been struck, and may also consider a vote on the comprehensive criminal justice reform measure once it clears the Senate.