Cadillac tax

Congressional spending bills are expected to permanently repeal the “Cadillac tax” and other taxes funding the Affordable Care Act, raise the tobacco purchasing age to 21, and extend the U.S. Export-Import Bank for seven years, according to a senior House Democratic aide familiar with the talks.

The House voted overwhelmingly to repeal a tax Wednesday intended to fund the Affordable Care Act, preserving tax breaks for employer-sponsored insurance plans favored by large corporations.

The short-term spending bill that President Trump signed into law Monday night includes provisions that delay or suspend three taxes mandated by the Affordable Care Act that have not yet taken effect.

After failing this year to repeal and replace Obamacare, House Republicans are angling to put taxes that are part of the health law on hold.

Congressional Republicans’ dash to undo Obamacare is about fulfilling a seven-year promise to voters. But it’s also about seizing what may be the party’s last chance to wipe out the 2010 law’s tax hikes on upper income earners.

Republican senators said it’s unclear whether their chamber will repeal all of the taxes imposed under Obamacare as they set aside the health-care bill passed by the House and prepare to write their own from scratch.

The Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act now heads to the Senate for consideration.

The proposal includes a new premium tax credit, the repeal of a number of pay-for taxes, and more -- and it may divide Republicans.