With the support of Republican ranking member, Orin Hatch of Utah, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon has presented an amendment to included the EXPIRE Act in the Senate’s highway bill. The EXPIRE Act would renew the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) and dozens of other tax extenders through 2015.
Paul Suplizio of the WOTC Coalition reports this morning that the Senate Finance Committee has adjourned for the Independence Day recess without a vote on the bill.
Between now and when the Senate reconvenes after July 7th, Senators Wyden and Hatch will be seeking a bipartisan agreement on the bill. According to Mr. Suplizio, the probability is high that EXPIRE will be a part of the bill when it comes before the Senate.
This is not a reason, however, for WOTC supporters to relax. It remains important to win support from additional Republican senators, whose leadership could still oppose including the extenders in the final bill to be sent to the House of Representatives.
The following is published here with permission.
*******
From: “Paul Suplizio” <wotc@cox.net>
Date: Thu, June 26, 2014 8:54 am
Subject: Finance Committee Adjourns Highway Markup Without Votes On Any Amendments
June 26, 2014
The Finance Committee has adjourned markup of the Highway bill, subject to call of the chair.
The Committee won’t meet again until after July 7—intervening time will be used by Senator Wyden and Senator Hatch to try to reach bi-partisan agreement on a final measure.
Chairman Wyden said he’s in touch with Ways and Means Chairman Camp on what the House approach will be on any measure sent to them by the Senate.
In view of Senate Democrats announcing their intention via the Wyden Amendment to include EXPIRE in the Highway bill, the odds are high EXPIRE will be in the bill that comes before the Senate.
We will have to continue working hard to win the support of Republican senators because Senator McConnell could make excluding the extenders a condition for his support of the bill. Senator McConnell has spoken in favor of the extenders, but we cannot take for granted what will come out of negotiations between himself and Senator Reid on the bill they’ll send to the House.
PAUL E. SUPLIZIO
President, WOTC Coalition
Chairman Wyden Amendment Includes EXPIRE Act in Senate Highway Bill
