Technology

The House on Tuesday unanimously approved legislation reaffirming U.S. policy as one that supports an Internet that is controlled by stakeholders, not governments.

In a 413-0 vote, members passed H.R. 1580, which once again signals the support of Congress for the continued development of the Internet without guidance from any single government or a collection of governments.

The House next week will pass legislation reaffirming that it is U.S. policy to keep the government out of the business of managing the Internet.

Early in the week, members will vote on H.R. 1580, which states simply that the policy of the U.S. is to "preserve and advance the successful multistakeholder model that governs the Internet."

The Senate is poised to approve legislation that would allow states to collect a sales tax on goods sold online.

The Senate advanced a bill to allow states to collect online sales tax and will vote on it May 6.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) accused Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) of trying to add “sugar to a very bitter cup of coffee” by adding some amendments to the online sales tax bill.

“He’s trying to add some sugar into a very bitter cup of coffee, that is his legislation,” Wyden said on the Senate floor Thursday after objecting to an agreement to vote on three amendments. “I just don’t think that makes a lot of sense.”

Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) objected to an amendment to the online sales tax bill from Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) on Thursday.

Baucus, who serves as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said it was a "travesty" that the Marketplace Fairness Act was not going through his committee before coming to the Senate floor.

"This is a travesty, the way this bill is being considered," Baucus said.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) chided senators holding up a bill that would allow states to collect online sales tax.

“The United States Senate operates by cooperation and consent, so I was disappointed that we weren’t able to reach agreement on amendments yesterday,” Reid said on the Senate floor Thursday. “The only way we get things done around here is when senators work together. We cannot let a few people stand in the way of fairness and that’s what this is all about.”

The Senate took a second procedural step Wednesday on a a bill that would allow states to collect online sales tax.

In a 75-22 vote, the Senate proceeded to The Marketplace Fairness Act, S. 743, which would empower states to collect taxes on purchases made online by consumers in their states.

On Monday, the Senate voted 74-20 to end debate on the motion to proceed and last month the body passed a non-binding budget resolution supporting the Marketplace Fairness language on a 75-24 vote.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday that he would oppose the online sales tax bill being debated in the Senate.

“For me, the issue boils down to that fact that the legislation we’re considering would create an enormous compliance burden for a lot of small businesses out there, making them tax collectors for thousands of far-away jurisdictions,” McConnell said. “Just as importantly, this legislation would increase the tax burden on Kentuckians.”

The Senate voted 74-20 on Monday to end debate on proceeding to a bill that would allow states to collect online sales tax.