Joe Baca: “I regret that a White House meeting on providing a prescription drug benefit for America's seniors prevented me from…”

“I regret that a White House meeting on providing a prescription drug benefit for America's seniors prevented me from voting on the point of order to H.R. 3709, the Internet Nondiscrimination Act (rollcall number 154). If I had not been meeting with the President, I would have voted against the point of order. While I share the concern of the gentleman from Michigan about the impact of mandates on state and local governments, this is too important a bill to cut off debate. The American people have demanded that we roll up our shirt sleeves and solve this issue. I have heard from hundreds of my constituents, who are concerned about the possibility that we will tax this new technology to the point where it is no longer viable. I see science and the Internet as the key to the future of America and the Inland Empire. We must allow Internet companies to flourish. In fact, I invite Internet-based industries to come to the Inland Empire, where we will create 15,000 new jobs through the LAMBRA enterprise zone legislation I authored. We have entered a new era of prosperity and unlimited possibilities for our children. We have a great future if we encourage Internet-based companies through bills such as H.R. 3709.”