# The House of Representatives has passed a new $1.4 trillion spending bill
## This spending bill, approved on Tuesday, aims to prevent a US government shutdown by covering the remainder of the fiscal year’s expenses. It allocates about $50 billion more in discretionary spending compared to the previous year, with funds directed towards federal agencies, election security grants, and a 3.1% salary increase for both civilian and military federal employees.
## Apart from funding federal agencies, the bill also repeals three old taxes that were originally implemented to finance the Affordable Care Act. These taxes will be permanently removed. Additionally, the bill raises the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21, aligning it with the legal age for purchasing alcohol.
## Although significant, the passing of this bill has been somewhat overshadowed by the ongoing political developments in Washington, particularly the impeachment proceedings against President Trump.
## The three taxes that have been repealed as part of this substantial bill include:
– 2.3% tax on medical devices
– 40% “Cadillac Tax” on high-cost healthcare plans, initially scheduled to take effect in 2022
– Fee imposed on the medical insurance industry, slated to begin in 2020
