House defies veto threat on tax breaks

Aid to businesses would become permanent.

WASHINGTON — The House voted Friday to make permanent an expired tax break designed to help small businesses invest in equipment and property, defying a veto threat by the White House.

President Barack Obama objects to the bill because it would add $79 billion to the budget deficit over the next decade. The White House said Obama supports making the tax break permanent, but wants to pay for it by eliminating other business tax breaks.

The bill is part of a package of more than 50 temporary tax breaks that Congress routinely extends every year or two. The entire package expired at the start of the year. Now, House Republicans are moving to make selected tax breaks permanent.

On Thursday, the House passed a $14.3 billion package of tax breaks designed to encourage charitable giving. Also, the House Ways and Means Committee advanced several other bills that would benefit businesses and individuals.

The House passed the small-business bill on Friday by a vote of 272-142. Thirty-three Democrats joined nearly every Republican in voting for the bill. However, the margin would not be enough to override a presidential veto.

The bill would allow small businesses to immediately write off capital expenses of up to $500,000, rather than taking the deductions over several years. Another provision would make it easier for small-business owners to deduct charitable contributions.

Congress has temporarily extended the expiring provision 12 times since 2003, making it difficult for businesses to do longterm planning, said Rep. Pat Tiberi, R-Ohio, who sponsored the bill.