U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, voted Thursday for a bill repealing an Internal Revenue Code requiring a 3 percent withholding on payments to private vendors by government entities.

“Small businesses need predictability in this economy, and permanently repealing the 3 percent withholding tax is another step toward providing certainty,” Tipton said in a written statement from his office. “Many small businesses, especially those in the construction industry, operate at a pre-tax profit margin that is often less than 3 percent. This burdensome provision would further restrict their already limited cash flow and ability to create new jobs.”

Dubbed the Three Percent Withholding Repeal and Job Creation Act, the bill passed the House 405-16 and will now go on to the Senate.

“Today we passed with a bipartisan vote the repeal of the 3 percent withholding tax, providing businesses with economic certainty and keeping capital in the hands of our job creators,” Tipton said. “I encourage the Senate to join with us and quickly pass this bill.”

One of Tipton’s own bills is expected to go before The House Natural Resources Committee National Parks, Forest and Public Lands Subcommittee on Thursday. If passed, the bill will elevate Chimney Rock Archeological Area to national monument status.

“I am pleased that the Chimney Rock National Monument Establishment Act is being given the opportunity for a legislative hearing, and encouraged by the progress that we have made toward giving one of Colorado’s most significant historic and cultural treasures the status and recognition it deserves,” Tipton said.

Located between Durango and Pagosa Springs, the Chimney Rock site, with its geological formation that looks like a chimney, was home to the ancestors of the modern Pueblo Indians 1,000 years ago and is of great spiritual significance to these tribes, according to the Chimney Rock Archaeological Area website, chimneyrockco.org/mainnew.htm.

Early Native Americans built more than 200 homes and ceremonial buildings high above the valley floor, probably to be near the sacred twin rock pinnacles. Researchers have found 91 structures that might have been permanent structures, plus 27 work camps near farming areas, adding up to more than 200 individual rooms.

The bill to designate Chimney Rock as a national monument also has the backing of U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., who introduced the bill in the Senate this year. The Senate bill passed the National Parks Subcommittee in May and is co-sponsored by Mark Udall, D-Colo.

According to information from Tipton’s office, the bill calls for no additional federal funds, therefore no spending increase.

It will maintain multiple use of the land, which will ensure local ranchers will be able to utilize the lands they depend on for grazing, hunters will be able to take advantage of the game opportunities in the area, and members of the Native American tribes will be able to continue to use Chimney Rock for traditional ceremonies. The bill also allows for continued archaeological research and exploration of the area.

Reach Reid Wright at reidw@cortezjournal.com.