Jim Sensenbrenner: “I rise in support of H.R. 1552, the Internet Tax Nondiscrimination Act. Over the last several years, the Internet has…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 1552, the Internet Tax Nondiscrimination Act. Over the last several years, the Internet has revolutionized commerce in a manner few could have imagined. The Internet has expanded consumer choices, enhanced competition and enabled individuals, as well as brick and mortar retailers, to avail themselves of a national marketplace once reserved to a privileged few. While government deserves some credit for helping create the technological infrastructure of the new digital economy, government regulation and taxation threaten to impede its tremendous commercial potential. In 1998, Congress passed the Internet Tax Freedom Act to facilitate the commercial development of the Internet. Contrary to widely held impressions, the Internet Tax Freedom Act does not specifically exempt Internet retailers from collecting and remitting all sales taxes. Rather, it prohibits States from imposing multiple and discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce and shields consumers from new Internet access taxes. These limited protections will expire on October 21, less than a week from today.”