Key Votes Possible in Senate

As many as three AGC “Key Votes” are possible in the Senate this week as the chamber continues consideration of small business legislation. U.S. EPA Greenhouse Gas Regulation AGC sent a Key Vote letter to all Senators this week to urge them to vote in support of an amendment offered by Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) that would prohibit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating greenhouse gases to address climate change.  AGC believes that EPA is using the Clean Air Act as the wrong tool under which to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and would make it harder for construction activity to take place.  EPA began regulating large stationary sources on January 1. IRS Form 1099 Repeal This week AGC also sent a Key Vote letter to ask Senators to vote in support of an amendment offered by Senator Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) that would permanently repeal the IRS Form 1099 reporting requirement included in the 2010 healthcare overhaul bill.  The mandate requires all businesses to submit Form 1099s to any business with which it purchases $600 or more in goods or services in a year, creating a tremendous paperwork and compliance burden for businesses of all sizes.  The provision goes into effect on January 1, 2012. Senators are also working towards a vote on the House-passed Form 1099 repeal bill, H.R. 4, which, if approved by the Senate in its current form, would clear the measure for the President. 3 Percent Withholding Repeal Earlier in the month, AGC sent a letter that would make a vote in support of an amendment filed by Senator Scott Brown (R-Mass.) to repeal the 3 percent withholding mandate on government contracts a Key Vote.  The amendment would repeal the 3 percent withholding mandate on federal, state, and large local governments whereby starting January 1, 2012, they will be required to withhold 3 percent of any payment to a contractor for goods or services, including construction.  Repeal of the 3 percent withholding mandate is a top legislative priority of AGC. For more information, contact Karen Lapsevic at (202) 547-4733 or lapsevick@agc.org.