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ARTICLE | Politics & Policy

Dems may consider med device tax repeal to end shutdown

October 4, 2013 12:34 AM UTC

Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) said a repeal of the 2.3% excise tax on medical devices is "on the table" as part of negotiations for a budget bill to reopen government if Congress can find a way to make up the expected revenue. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projected the tax -- which was mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and went into effect on Jan. 1 -- will provide about $29.1 billion through 2022.

In an interview with CNN, Durbin said it was "conceivable" aspects of ACA like the medical device tax could come to a vote in the Senate but that the House must first pass a spending bill that does not delay or defund ACA. His stipulation echoes Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who has said that "any bill that defunds Obamacare is dead." ...