WASHINGTON?Shifting gears on the economy, House Republicans decided Wednesday to bring to a vote a package of jobless aid and business tax cuts while removing controversial items to soften Democratic opposition.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas said the legislation would not “violate Democratic theology” with tax credits aimed at helping the unemployed pay health insurance premiums.

The package, expected to come to a vote today in the House, is composed of items many Democrats have previously backed. These include a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits, a three-year, 30 percent tax writeoff for new business investment, tax relief to help New York recovery efforts and renewal of popular tax breaks that expired.

If passed, the measure would mark the fourth time the House has approved legislation to address the economic downturn.