Political Quotes

“I thank the Senator from Oregon for his courtesy this morning. I appreciate the senator's remarks on allowing our different points of view to come to the floor and let's vote on it. He is speaking, of course, about the Marketplace Fairness Act, which is a 12-page bill which represents a two-word issue: States' rights. The Majority Leader has said we'll have the ability to vote on that sometime before the end of the year. It is a bipartisan bill. It passed the Senate 2 years ago with 69 votes. It recognizes that States have the right to decide for themselves whether to collect their State sales taxes from all of the people who owe the taxes or some of the people who owe the taxes. It would allow States to do that if they simplify tax administration and exempt small online sellers from collection requirements. It would create a pathway for States and localities across the country to begin collecting an estimated $23 billion annually in uncollected taxes--taxes that are already owed. They can then use that money to balance their budget, to reduce other taxes, to pay for vital services. I don't think Tennessee or any other State should have to play ``Mother, may I?'' with the Federal Government when deciding whether to collect, or not collect, a State tax that is already owed. I can say to our friends on both sides of the aisle, the States are not going to put up with this for very much longer.…”