Rep. Lofgren Joins Colleagues in Call for Internet Tax Moratorium Vote

“It is time to provide certainty to the market and consumers”

Media Contact: Heather Wong, 202.225.3072

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D- San Jose) joined by 31 colleagues in the House of Representatives, sent a letter urging Speaker Dennis Hastert to schedule a vote this week to extend the internet tax moratorium. The Internet tax moratorium expired over one year ago. Prior to that expiration, the House passed H.R. 49, a bill that would have permanently extended the moratorium. Last April, the Senate passed its own version, S. 150, which instead extends the moratorium for another four years. The letter calls for a vote on the Senate version of the bill.

The following is a copy of the letter:

November 16, 2004
The Honorable Dennis Hastert
Speaker of the House
The Capitol
H-232
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Mr. Speaker,

            As you know, last year the House passed H.R. 49, which would permanently extend the moratorium on Internet access taxes and prohibit multiple and discriminatory taxes on Internet commerce. Last April, the Senate passed its own version, S. 150, which would instead extend the moratorium for four years.

            Although we prefer the permanent extension found in H.R. 49, we believe it is time to resolve this issue and pass S. 150. The Internet tax moratorium expired over one year ago. For over one year, ISPs and consumers have had to deal with the very real possibility that all fifty states could tax Internet access.

We cannot continue to allow this uncertainty to harm the future of the Internet. The Internet has been a driving force in our economy. A toll to enter the information superhighway is not good policy today, and it won’t be good policy when the 109th Congress convenes in January. It is time to provide certainty to the market and consumers.

            We urge you to schedule a vote for S. 150 this week.

            Sincerely,

Rep. Zoe Lofgren                                                Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva

Rep. Betty McCollum                                          Rep. Rubén Hinojosa

Rep. Mike Thompson                                          Rep. Anna Eshoo

Rep. Mike Honda                                                Rep. Mike Doyle

Rep. Rick Boucher                                               Rep. Robert T. Matsui

Rep. Brad Sherman                                              Rep. Bob Filner

Rep. Gary Ackerman                                            Rep. Ron Kind

Rep. David Wu                                                     Rep. David Price

Rep. Steny Hoyer                                                  Rep. Ben Cardin

Rep. Howard Berman                                           Rep. Linda Sanchez

Rep. Sam Farr                                                      Rep. Joe Baca

Rep. Lois Capps                                                  Rep. Ellen Tauscher

Rep. Diane Watson                                               Rep. Lynn Woolsey

Rep. Dennis Cardoza                                            Rep. Hilda Solis

Rep. Susan A. Davis                                             Rep. John. F. Tierney

Rep. Joseph Crowley