House GOP scores rare floor victory by outmaneuvering Democrats on tax bill

House Republicans scored an unexpected procedural victory Thursday on Democratic legislation that would temporarily repeal much of the GOP tax law’s cap on state and local tax deductions.

Shortly before the vote on final passage of the bill, Democrats agreed to accept a Republican motion to recommit — a procedural tool used by the minority party to make eleventh-hour changes to a bill. The measure was adopted in a 388-36 vote, with 194 Democrats joining Republicans.

It was only the fifth time Republicans have successfully utilized the tactic since Democrats took control of the chamber in January.

Democratic leaders held an unexpected recess ahead of the vote due to concerns over the procedural tactic, with the fate of the bill remaining uncertain just hours before its expected passage.

The GOP motion, offered by Rep. Tom Rice (R-S.C.) would prevent the repeal of the deduction cap from applying to taxpayers with income more than $100 million, and would also boost the size of an increase in deductions for educators’ expenses and for first responders’ expenses in the bill.

President Trump’s 2017 tax-cut law, enacted two years ago this weekend, put a $10,000 limit on the deduction. The cap is $10,000 for both single filers and married couples filing jointly.

The majority of Republicans did not support the underlying legislation put forth Thursday by Democrats. House Democrats ultimately decided to move forward and include the Republican language, passing the bill on a near party-line vote of 218 to 206.

The measure is not expected to advance in the GOP-controlled Senate.

Naomi Jagoda contributed.