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For Immediate Release
09/12/07
Contact: |
Joe Brenckle - Republican Press Office 202-224-3991
Brian Eaton w/Stevens 202-224-0445
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Stevens Calls on Congress to Extend Internet Tax Moratorium
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listen to Radio Clip
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today made the following remarks on the floor of the Senate in favor of extending the Internet tax moratorium.
Senator Stevens: Since its inception, the Internet has provided a powerful economic boost to our nation, especially in rural areas. It has become an important everyday tool for millions of Americans, a valuable educational resource, and a powerful mechanism for communication.
To ensure the Internet’s benefits are available to as many people as possible, Congress should reduce obstacles to broadband access. One way to accomplish this goal is to prevent taxes from being imposed on Internet access, because such taxes will only drive up the overall cost of the use of the Internet.
The Internet Tax Freedom Act, first passed by Congress in 1998, established a moratorium on state and local governments’ ability to tax Internet access. Extended in 2004, that moratorium will expire on November 1st – less than two months from today.
Legislation has been introduced in both the House and Senate to extend the Internet tax moratorium. I have been supportive of such legislation and expressed support when the Senate Commerce Committee explored the issue at a hearing on May 23rd of this year. Our Chairman, Senator Inouye, has been very supportive of the concept of keeping new taxes off the Internet.
Tremendous investment, growth, and innovation in broadband deployment have occurred since the moratorium was first adopted. In order for this progress to continue, Congress should extend the Internet tax moratorium before it expires this fall.
If it is not extended by November 1st, more states could take the opportunity to quickly pass laws and impose new taxes on the Internet. Such taxes would only serve to expand the digital divide between those who can afford broadband access and those who cannot.
The Internet has allowed states such as Alaska to compete on a more level playing field. Alaskans are now able to market their goods to customers in the Lower 48 and around the world, which is especially beneficial for small businesses located in remote areas. Improved broadband access has also eliminated distance barriers for education and medicine, providing rural areas with a higher quality of life.
Faster, cheaper Internet access also helps drive America’s economic engine and creates new jobs. Continued broadband deployment will help ensure America keeps this competitive edge. Without it, our nation will fall behind in the global economy. If discriminatory taxes are imposed on Internet access, our country will face a real danger, and the rest of the world will no longer look to the United States for Internet innovations.
The date the Internet tax moratorium is set to expire – November 1st – is fast approaching. It is my hope Congress will act to extend this important moratorium before that deadline arrives.
While the expiration of the Internet Tax Moratorium is the most pressing broadband issue before Congress right now, several more issues should also be addressed to encourage greater broadband deployment and availability in this country. First and foremost, universal service should be updated so that rural America has the same broadband opportunities as the rest of America. This will require the work of both Congress and the Federal Communications Commission.
Additionally, the government should try to stay away from doing things that would reverse the recent policy trends of encouraging broadband deployment through free market principles.
I sincerely hope that Congress will act to extend this moratorium.
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28th - |
Commerce Committee Seeks Reform for Consumer Product Safety Commission
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety Subcommittee legislative hearing on S. 2045, the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act of 2007.
At this hearing, the Committee will explore the state of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, examine reforms that are necessary to make t...
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28th - |
Commerce Committee Seeks to Bolster U.S. Competitiveness in Science
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee hearing titled Science Parks: Bolstering U.S. Competitiveness.
At this hearing, the Committee will explore the effects science parks can have on innovation and competitiveness including encouraging partnerships with academia, and spurring regional ...
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27th - |
Inouye Looks Forward to Future Action on the Internet Tax Moratorium
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye issued the following statement today regarding S. 1453, the IFTA Extension Act of 2007:
“I am disappointed that the Commerce Committee was unable to act on legislation to extend the Internet tax moratorium at today’s markup. But after discussions with my colleagues, I believe that further negotiations are warran...
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27th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Measure that Tempers Spread of Invasive Species
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved S. 1578, The Ballast Water Management Act of 2007, as amended, which strengthens the existing national ballast water management program for aquatic nuisance species, including uniform, mandatory national standards for ballast water treatment.
“This ballast water legislation strengthens existi...
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25th - |
Government and Industry Reps to Testify on Airport Congestion and Delay
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation released today a witness list for an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on Congestion and Delays: The Impact on Travelers and Possible Solutions. The witnesses are listed below.
The hearing, now scheduled for 10:30 a.m., will focus on modernization and efforts to address the needs...
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24th - |
Commerce Committee to Review DHS Admin of Port Security Programs
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye announced today a full Committee hearing on the Security of Our Nation’s Seaports.
The hearing will review the Department of Homeland Securitys implementation and administration of several port and cargo security programs authorized in the SAFE Port Act, the Maritime and Transport...
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21st - |
Inouye Announces September 27 Markup
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye announced today a Committee Executive Session for Thursday, September 27, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
During the Executive Session, Committee members will markup the following agenda items:
1. S. 1578, Ballast Water Management Act of 2007
2. S. 1889, Railroa...
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21st - |
Commerce Committee Seeks Government, Industry Perspectives on DTV Transition
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee hearing on The Digital Television Transition: Government and Industry Perspectives.
At this hearing, the Committee will explore the status of the digital television transition including consumer education efforts, the operation and implementation of the National Telecommunications...
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20th - |
Inouye Hopeful to Move Internet Tax Moratorium Extension Next Week
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye issued the following statement today:
“The Senate Commerce Committee is actively working toward legislation to extend the Internet tax moratorium. I remain hopeful that pragmatism, and not politics, will prevail and that my colleagues can agree upon reasonable legislation that can be marked-up next week, and thereafter...
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18th - |
Aviation Subcommittee to Evaluate Airport Congestion and Delay
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on Congestion and Delays: The Impact on Travelers and Possible Solutions.
The hearing will focus on modernization and efforts to address the needs of the air traffic system and to improve the movement of aircraft and passengers. Su...
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16th - |
NFL Commissioner, NFLPA Exec. Director, Former Players to Testify Before Senate Commerce Committee
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation released a witness list today for a full Committee hearing on the Oversight of the NFL Retirement System. The witnesses are listed below.
The hearing will examine the current compensation system for National Football League (NFL) retirees with claims of advanced injuries that became symptomatic after retiri...
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13th - |
Inouye Cosponsors CPSC Reform Act
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today cosponsored the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act of 2007, introduced by Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark.). The Act is a reauthorization bill set to improve consumer safety through stronger consumer protection laws, increased authority, and increased ...
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12th - |
current Press Release |
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11th - |
Witnesses Announced for FTC Reauthorization Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation release the witness list today an Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee hearing on the Federal Trade Commission Reauthorization. The witnesses are listed below.
The hearing will examine a diverse range of policy areas under the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) jurisdiction including: gas...
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7th - |
Interstate Commerce Subcommittee to Hold FTC Reauthorization Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces an Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee hearing on the Federal Trade Commission Reauthorization.
The hearing will examine a diverse range of policy areas under the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) jurisdiction including: gas prices and oil price-gouging, the common carrier e...
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