Last night 48 House Democrats joined 203 Republicans to pass the long-stalled coporate tax bill, moving the measure to conference with the Senate. The 251-178 vote for HR 4520 came after provisions were added including a federal buyout of tobacco farmers and an additional income tax deduction for state sales taxes. The bill still achieves its original goal of bringing the United States into compliance with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules that resulted in European Union (EU) trade sanctions being applied. The EU sanctions will still be in effect until the legislation is signed, according to the EU.

The eventual conference with the Senate will focus on the tobacco buyout provisions, with some Senate Democrats objecting to the method used by the House.