For Immediate Release
October 11, 2007
Media Contact: Ray Yonkura
(202) 225-2676
Jordan Assails Democrat Failure to Ban Internet Taxes
Washington, DC -- Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) criticized congressional Democrats for refusing to permanently ban Internet access taxes.
By a vote of 21 to 15 today, Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee defeated an amendment sponsored by Jordan and three other committee Republicans that would prevent state and local governments from leveling discriminatory access taxes on Internet users. A temporary ban currently in place is slated to expire on November 1.
Committee Democrats also blocked passage of eight-year and six-year extensions. Instead, the Committee passed a four-year continuation of the current ban.
“I’m amazed that, even when it looks like they’re not raising taxes, politicians always leave the door open to tax increases down the road,” Jordan said.
Jordan noted that a majority of House members have joined him in cosponsoring stand-alone bills to make the ban permanent--including four Judiciary Committee Democrats who voted against the ban in committee today.
Jordan said he will seek another opportunity to permanently ban access taxes when the issue reaches the House floor later this month.
“This directly affects the vast majority of American families and businesses, who could face Internet taxes of up to 20 percent if Congress refuses to act,” Jordan said. “They deserve to know that their representatives will work to protect the Internet from excessive taxation and burdensome regulations.”
