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Nickles Threatens to Hold Up Conference on Minimum Wage Hike, Small Business Tax Bill

Thursday, June 27, 1996

Deloitte & Touche OnLine

Sen. Don Nickles, R-Okla., warned he would oppose the appointment of conferees on the minimum wage increase and the small business tax incentive bill (HR 3448) if Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., continues to oppose naming conferees on the health insurance reform bill (S. 1028), CongressDaily news service reported.

Conferees are House and Senate representatives appointed to a conference to work out differences between the two chambers’ versions of legislation, before the final votes on bills.

"If we’re not going to appoint conferees (on the health care bill) ... then I’m not going to appoint conferees on minimum wage," Nickles said in a speech to the American League of Lobbyists.

Nickles long has been a potential fly in the ointment of the small business tax incentive bill because of his long-standing opposition to the wage hike, which is the vehicle for the bill.

The proposed bipartisan amendment to the tax portion of the bill also may be encountering some opposition, congressional aides told Deloitte & Touche.

Kennedy is unhappy with the amendment’s independent contractor provisions, while certain GOP Senators are unhappy with some of the pension simplification provisions.

Blaze At Treasury Department Building: The Treasury department is closed June 27 and 28 following a fire on the building's roof Wednesday that forced 1,200 workers from their offices and caused traffic chaos during the evening rush hour.

The cause of the blaze is still under investigation, but officials said the roof ignited while under renovation. Work on the 19th-century building has been going on for about a year.

The top floor of the building was damaged by smoke, fire and water, and Treasury officials said the building was closed for safety and security reasons. The annex also is closed.

Those who have emergency questions for Treasury are asked to call 202-622-1260.