by Andrew Walden
The US Senate voted 81-17 to repeal the Obamacare "1099-MISC" tax hike and information reporting requirement. Hawaii Senators Dan Akaka and Dan Inouye were among a rump group of 17 Obamacare bitter-enders.
Americans for Tax Reform explains:
“This tax hike in Obamacare would require that all businesses issue a 1099-MISC tax form to any person or business with whom they do at least $600 in total business over the course of the year. That means gathering tax information and issuing tax forms to every airline, restaurant, office supply store, car rental agency, etc. with whom your small business does business. Even the IRS says they can't comply with all the resulting paperwork.”
Separately, an amendment which would have repealed Obamacare in its entirety was rejected on a party line vote of 47-51. Every Republican Senator voted for repeal and relief.
GOP Leader Mitch McConnell pointed out: "This fight isn't over. We intend to continue to fight to repeal and replace Obamacare with sensible reforms that would lower the cost of American healthcare."
McConnell told reporters Republicans would continue to push for tort reform to reduce medical malpractice claims and for an elimination of rules which prohibit insurance companies from selling policies across state lines. In many states—including Hawaii--one or two insurers dominate the marketplace, and state regulators effectively tamp down competition.
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