Military tax relief bill still in limbo

A spokeswoman for House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas, R-Calif., said a decision about how to proceed might not be made until Tuesday, when committee Republicans and the full House return to Washington.

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, pulled the bill last week after GOP lawmakers expressed uneasiness about voting for a bill that included a number of tax breaks for narrow interests unrelated to military personnel. The underlying bill, which would allow military families to take advantage of a capital gains exclusion on the sale of a residence, is considered non-controversial and would likely pass alone on the suspension calendar, which requires a two-thirds vote for passage.

GOP leaders are debating whether to strip some or all of the add-ons, or proceed again under a rule.