WASHINGTON -- U.S. Olympic medal winners will soon get a tax break, but not everyone thinks getting rid of the so-called victory tax is a good idea.I promise you, this is bad policy, said Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., who cast the lone vote against a bill that would block the IRS from taxing most Olympic winnings.President Barack Obama is expected to sign the measure, which repeals a tax on cash prizes awarded to U.S. medal winners: $25,000 for gold, $15,000 for silver and $10,000 for bronze.The measure sailed through the House and Senate, winning final approval Thursday just as Obama welcomed several hundred members of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams to the White House. The U.S. won 121 medals at the Rio Olympics, including 46 gold medals.A former college rower who once tried out for the U.S. national team, Himes said he has nothing against the Olympics or Olympic athletes. But he called the tax measure a feel-good bill that unnecessarily complicates an already complex tax code.Whats next? he asked. Tax exemptions for Nobel Prize winners? Astronauts? Inner-city teachers? This is no way to make tax policy: I feel good so Ill give you a tax break.Supporters call the bill a matter of fairness.Under current law, athletes who return home with a medal for Team USA must pay a penalty for their success, said Rep. Robert Dold, R-Ill., the bills chief House sponsor. The bipartisan bill ensures that these athletes can remain focused on fulfilling their Olympic and Paralympic dreams without the fear of getting a huge tax bill in the mail, Dold said.Many countries subsidize their Olympic athletes, added Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. The least we can do is make sure our athletes dont get hit with a tax bill for winning a medal, he said.The bill was amended in the House to allow taxes on high-profile athletes such as swimmer Michael Phelps who earn more than $1 million a year.Himes applauded the change, but said the bill remains an election-year stunt.Its an unpopular Congress trying to bask in the reflected glory of Olympic heroes. But its still bad policy, he said.While no other lawmaker voted against the bill, several have told him privately I wish Id been with you, Himes said.John Shaban, a Republican who is running against Himes, said the Democrats vote showed he was disconnected from the sentiment of the country and the rest of the Congress.Really is that how bad things are? That we have to tax the Olympic athletes on their medals, Shaban told the Hartford Courant.Himes and other Democrats spend all their time beating up on the one presidential candidate who says how we never win anymore. And if we do win theyre going to tax you, Shaban said.---Follow Matthew Daly: https://twitter.com/MatthewDalyWDCCustom Philadelphia Phillies Nike Jerseys . The 15th-ranked Canadian men lost the opening two games of their European tour: 19-15 to No. 17 Georgia and 21-20 to No. Cheap Custom Baseball Jerseys . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. https://www.custombaseballnikejerseys.com/ .C. -- Rodney Hood connected from all over the court while freshman Jabari Parker was busy swatting shots and scoring in transition. Custom Los Angeles Angels Nike Jerseys . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Custom Houston Astros Nike Jerseys . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . NEW YORK -- Former major league outfielder Nick Swisher says he is stepping away from the game to spend time with his wife and two daughters.In a series of posts to his Twitter account on Saturday, Swisher said he plans to keep training every day and evaluate my options for next season at the appropriate time.The 35-year-old Swisher hasnt appeared in a major league game this season. He was released by Atlanta late in spring training and signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees in April.Swisher and his wife, JoAnna, recently welcomed their second daughter, Sailor Stevie.I dont think we would have signed him if we didnt want to take a look at him, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said before New York played at San Diego. We just felt some guys were ahead of him at the time. He was never called and I respect what hhe did.dddddddddddd. He had another baby and hell enjoy that.While the Yankees could have brought up Swisher, they left him in the minors and brought up Chris Parmelee, who then got hurt, and they still didnt bring up Swisher.Swisher is earning $15 million this year under the contract he signed with Cleveland before the 2013 season.Asked what hell remember about Swishers career, Girardi said: Im not so sure that this will be it for him. He was a guy that brought a lot of energy and had some big years for us. Patient hitter that had power.Swisher, the son of former major league catcher Steve Swisher, made his major league debut with Oakland in 2004. He has 245 homers and 803 RBIs in 1,527 games. ' ' '