Statement by Senator John Mccain on Senate Passage of Internet Tax Ban

Statement

U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) released the following statement today on the Senate's passage of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act, which includes a permanent extension of the Internet Tax Freedom Act (ITFA) that would prevent state and local authorities from taxing the Internet:

"The Senate's passage of ITFA as part of the customs and trade enforcement bill represents an important victory for American innovation, ingenuity and freedom. I have long believed that the Internet should be tax-free, and I have spearheaded efforts to permanently ban state and local authorities from imposing economy-crippling taxes on the Internet. Most recently, I was proud to be an original cosponsor the Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act this Congress that would permanently bar any taxes on Internet access and other forms of electronic commerce. Keeping Internet services tax-free is critical to ensuring U.S. companies continue to grow and innovate, and that average Americans do not have to pay more to stay connected in our increasingly digital and globalized economy. I urge the president to sign this legislation into law so that we can continue to protect our citizens from this potential tax burden and keep access to the Internet affordable for all Americans."

Senator McCain has fought to permanently ban multiple or discriminatory state and local taxes on Internet access and e-commerce transactions since the 105th Congress when he helped champion ITFA to make the Internet tax-free, placing a temporary moratorium on new Internet taxes. Following several short-term extensions of the moratorium, Senator McCain cosponsored the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act of 2007 during the 110th Congress. He is also an original cosponsor of the Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act, which was introduced in the Senate this Congress.

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