This was a vote on a resolution setting a time limit for debate and prohibiting amendments to legislation repealing a provision of a major health care law enacted in 2010 that required small businesses to file a tax form (a 1099 form) for all individuals who had received $600 or more from a business in exchange for property or merchandise. This bill also reduced subsidies provided by the health care law for uninsured Americans to purchase health insurance. The 1099 provision was included in the health care law to help raise tax revenue to pay for an expansion of insurance coverage. It later became widely viewed by members of both parties, however, as overly burdensome for small businesses.

Rep. Rich Nugent (R-FL) urged support for this resolution and the underlying bill: “This [1099] requirement forces businesses to report nearly all expenses exceeding $600 to the IRS. This results in a new, onerous burden on small businesses. The requirement means 10 to 20 times more paperwork for small businesses….Small businesses are the economic backbone, and the 1099 requirement is breaking their back. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle will tell you H.R. 4 is a Republican tax increase on middle America. That couldn't be further from the truth. The offset we are using [the provision of the underlying bill which cut subsidies for uninsured Americans to purchase health insurance] here today prevents individuals from receiving health care subsidies that they aren't entitled to.”

Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) argued that cutting subsidies for health insurance amounted to a tax increase on middle class Americans: “…Today the Republicans are breaking a promise that they made to the American people, a promise not to raise taxes. The new majority came in promising a growth agenda. Instead, under the guise of giving administrative relief to small businesses--relief that we all agree is necessary and the majority of this body last session voted to provide with a different way of paying for it--the Republicans are now increasing taxes on middle class Americans and punishing workers.”

The House agreed to this resolution by a vote of 252-175. All 238 Republicans present and 14 Democrats voted “yea.” 175 Democrats voted “nay.” As a result, the House proceeded to formal floor debate on legislation repealing a provision of a major health care law enacted in 2010 that required small businesses to file a tax form (a 1099 form) for all individuals who had received $600 or more from a business in exchange for property or merchandise, and cutting subsidies enabling uninsured Americans to purchase health insurance.