As a follow-up to previous articles about the Internet Tax Freedom Act, the House has passed a 4-year extension of the ban. The measure is likely to be taken up and passed in the Senate before the current ban expires on November 1.
Although supporters of making the ban permanent had enough votes to amend the bill to their liking, Democratic leaders put it on the floor under suspension of the rules, a procedure that bars amendments and is usually reserved for less controversial legislation. “Basically, what the Democratic leadership has said is, ‘Here’s four years, take it or leave it,’ ” said Republican Robert W. Goodlatte of Virginia, cosponsor of a permanent ban.
It looks as if the Democratic leadership did the minimum possible to ensure that the high-tech community–which strongly backs the ban–did not turn against them in advance of the next election.
