House repeals contractor withholding

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. House Thursday approved a piece of President Obama's jobs package, repealing a rule requiring withholding 3 percent of government contractor payments.

The House voted 405-16 -- the no votes all from Democrats -- to repeal a requirement adopted in 2006 and signed into law by President Bush but never put into effect.

Contractors said the repeal would produce more certainty in their businesses.

The action gave fuel to arguments by Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., that it is Democrats, not Republicans, who are blocking legislation to create jobs, The Hill reported.

"By passing another jobs bill, House Republicans are helping companies cope with this era of uncertainty," Cantor said. "This is another bipartisan and common sense solution to support the small-business men and women of our economy so that they can support and begin to regenerate our ailing economy."

Earlier he said: "The president has traveled the country telling Americans 'we can't wait' to pass some job bills. Well, we aren't waiting. We continue to pass job bills. Perhaps it's time for the president to deliver the 'we can't wait' message to the other body in the Capitol."

The Congressional Budget Office estimated repeal would cost the government $11.2 billion in 10 years.

The measure next goes to the Senate.