Conservatives tank vote to advance SALT bill, dealing blow to NY moderates

A band of House conservatives tanked a procedural vote on Wednesday to advance a bill pertaining to the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, dealing a blow to moderate New York Republicans who have pushed for a vote on the legislation.

Eighteen conservatives joined Democrats in opposing the rule to advance the SALT bill and another unrelated measure, blocking the legislation from being debated and voted on for final passage.

The final vote on the rule, which governs debate for legislation, was 195-225.

The legislation in question — titled the “SALT Marriage Penalty Elimination Act” — would increase the SALT deduction in 2023 from $10,000 to $20,000 for married couples who file jointly and have a taxable income less than $500,000. It is sponsored by Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.).

Republican leadership moved on the bill after a group of moderate GOP lawmakers from New York staged a near-revolt on the House floor late last month, coming close to blocking legislative action in the chamber. Four of the lawmakers voted against a procedural rule for four unrelated measures before switching their vote to allow the effort to move forward.

The show of opposition was a way to showcase their resistance to the bipartisan, bicameral tax deal that did not include an increase in the SALT deduction.

After the floor protest, the New York moderate Republicans received a commitment from GOP leadership to work on advancing SALT-related legislation. The House Rules Committee advanced Lawler’s bill in an 8-5 vote earlier this month.

The opposition from Republicans, however, was enough to take the rule for the SALT bill, stopping it from advancing to the floor for debate and a final vote. It also blocked a resolution denouncing the Biden administration’s energy policies from coming to the floor.

Republican “no” votes came from Reps. Jim Banks (Ind.), Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Dan Bishop (N.C.), Eli Crane (Ariz.), Russell Fry (S.C.), Matt Gaetz (Fla.), Paul Gosar (Ariz.), Wesley Hunt (Texas), David Kustoff (Tenn.), Mary Miller (Ill.), Cory Mills (Fla.), Alex Mooney (W.Va.), Scott Perry (Pa.), Matt Rosendale (Mont.), Chip Roy (Texas), Keith Self (Texas), Lloyd Smucker (Pa.) and Greg Steube (Fla.).

Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.) — a co-sponsor of Lawler’s bill and one of the lawmakers who came close to revolting on the House floor last month — said he was “frustrated” by the result of Wednesday’s procedural vote.

“I am frustrated that today’s procedural vote on a SALT relief bill I co-sponsored failed to pass in the House after it faced opposition from New York Democrats and their allies who are hellbent on scoring political points at the expense of Empire State taxpayers,” he said in a statement. “I will continue fighting to provide New York neighbors with the SALT relief they deserve.”

Updated at 7:01 p.m.