Thune Bipartisan Bill to Permanently Block Taxes on Internet Access Overwhelmingly Passes House

Press Release

U.S. Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and member of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, today applauded the U.S. House of Representative's broad bipartisan approval of the companion bill to his Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act (S. 1431), which he introduced with Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon). The House passed the bill by voice vote.

"The Internet is a key driver of economic growth, innovation, and information in our 21st century economy," said Thune. "I applaud the House for its strong, bipartisan passage of the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act. I am proud to be the lead Republican sponsor of this important legislation that will keep taxes off Internet access and encourage more Americans to use broadband. It's time for Leader Reid to take up this bipartisan bill to ensure we continue to keep the Internet accessible to consumers across the country and encourage innovation and investment in our global economy."

In the early days of the Internet, state and local jurisdictions sought to impose multiple and discriminatory taxes on the new medium. This practice threatened to stifle innovation and economic growth. The original ITFA was enacted in 1998 to place a moratorium on new taxes. The law has been successfully reauthorized three times. Thune's bill would make the moratorium permanent, giving online innovators and entrepreneurs the stability they need to grow their businesses.

Source