Taxpayers Win!!! House Passes Pro-Taxpayer Internet Tax Bill

WASHINGTON-  Today the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3709, the Cox-Goodlatte Internet Nondiscrimination Act.  This bill would extend the current moratorium on Internet taxes an additional five years.

The bill garnered strong support from both parties, with 352 yeas (209 Republicans, 142 Democrats, 1 Independent) to just 75 noes (9 Republicans, 65 Democrats, 1 Independent).

Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform and a member of the federal Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce, which submitted a formal recommendation to Congress on Internet taxes, issued the following statement:

"Taxpayers across the country will be celebrating today as the House of Representatives voted in favor of HR 3709, the Cox-Goodlatte Internet Nondiscrimination Act, which protects taxpayers, albeit temporarily, from discriminatory Internet taxes.

"The House voted to accept the proposed five-year extension on the moratorium, reject the two year extension alternative that was offered, and to accept the idea that simplification is crucial.  These were three key components of the recommendation the ACEC submitted to Congress.

"I want to applaud all of the members in the House of Representatives who voted in favor of protecting taxpayers by voting yes on this bill.  This is a strong statement in favor of protecting taxpayers from discriminatory taxes on Internet purchases and activity.

"Unfortunately, there were 75 members in the House who voted against this pro-taxpayer legislation.  Consequently, we are awarding each of these members with an \’Enemy of the Internet\’ award and officially deem them \’Honorary Luddites.\’"