Recent Press Releases

Congress Misses Opportunity to Fix Flaw in Health Care Bill

Votes to keep provision that punishes small businesses, job creators

September 14, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC —  Senator John Thune today expressed disappointment over the defeat of a bipartisan amendment offered by Senator Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) to repeal the costly and burdensome paperwork mandate included in the recently enacted health care bill, which requires that every business, charity, and local and state government entity submit 1099 tax forms for business transactions totaling $600 or more annually. Senator Thune is a cosponsor of the Johanns amendment to repeal this burdensome requirement on businesses across the country.

"Today's defeat of a common sense measure that would have eased the burden on America's small businesses was a missed opportunity for Congress to fix a major flaw in the health care bill," said Thune. "The 1099 paperwork mandate will cost our nation's small businesses millions of dollars each year, and is yet another federal requirement that will stand in the way of job creation. With unemployment looming over nine percent, it is irresponsible for Congress to delay in repealing this troublesome burden."

The Johanns amendment is supported by numerous groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Restaurant Association, the International Franchise Association, and the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., among others.