Late on Friday night, the House approved pension reform legislation (H.R. 4), which includes a scaled-back package of charitable reforms and incentives. The incentives include the IRA rollover, and book and food deductions for charities. The legislation also includes some reforms aimed at the nonprofit sector. For a summary, click here.H.R. 4 now heads to the Senate for consideration. Because the bill is not a conference report, it is subject to amendment and potentially unlimited debate (i.e., “normal” order in the Senate). In addition, Majority Leader Frist has indicated he will allow a vote on the pension bill only AFTER another bill with tax “extenders,” minimum wage provisions and a permanent reduction in the estate tax bill is approved. So, final passage of the charitable provisions remains an uphill battle.