October 15, 2001

Member of Congress
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative,

Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) strongly supports HR 1552, which would extend the moratorium on multiple and discriminatory taxes and access taxation for two years. In addition, we support the passage of a clean moratorium, without the addition of any language regarding the sales tax systems of the states. ATR intends for the issue to count in our annual rating of Congress.

As you know, if Congress doesn't pass a new ban on Internet access taxes and multiple and discriminatory taxes by October 21, 2001, the current ban will expire. This will mean a defacto tax increase on Americans at a time when they least are able to pay it. Not only that, this tax will hit schools, libraries, hospitals and families - those who use the Internet for research, education, and most critically, communication. This is not the time to be adding a new tax on Americans trying to keep in touch with loved ones. Therefore, we support a clean extension of the moratorium, without sales tax simplification language.

ATR has always been supportive of a permanent ban on Internet taxes, and has supported a five-year extension only as a compromise solution. While the two-year extension being voted on in the House on the Suspension calendar is a disappointment, Members should still support the extension in order to keep access taxes off of the Internet. In addition, ATR supports the two-year extension only because there is no state sales tax simplification added on. Americans for Tax Reform intends to rate this vote.

Onward,

Grover G. Norquist