WASHINGTON, D.C.– U.S. Rep. Ron Lewis (KY-02) voted today to support the Internet Tax Freedom Act Amendments Act (H.R. 3678), legislation that places a seven year prohibition on taxes for Internet access and other discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce.  The bill passed by a 402–0 vote.

 

“The Internet is a critical method for communication with family and friends and an important avenue for small businesses to expand their markets,” said Lewis. “I am pleased that Congress worked together this week to keep the tax moratorium from lapsing.”

 

The Internet tax moratorium, first enacted in 1998, was scheduled to expire November 1, 2007. Today’s legislation extends the ban on federal, state, and local tax assessments through 2014.

 

Lewis is a cosponsor of the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act (H.R. 743), a measure introduced earlier this year by Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) to permanently ban Internet taxes.

 

            “Even with today’s extension, many of my colleagues and I intend to keep working to enact a permanent internet tax ban,” said Lewis. “Permanent elimination would foster economic growth and future job creation. I look forward to finding a bipartisan solution to achieve this goal.”