Bob Kerrey on Internet Freedom and Security

Summary

Senator Kerrey has not been in office while most of the larger issues surrounding internet security have developed. However, in 1999 he opposed an amendment to grant a 4 year moratorium on taxes for things sold on the internet. He noted that in his judgement, the Federal Government intervening and saying the States can't raise taxes in a certain way was without precedent.

Internet Tax Freedom Act

On October 7, 1999 Senator Kerrey spoke on the Senate floor against an amendment to extend the moratorium on the sales tax for internet sales.

Mr. KERREY. Mr. President, I rise to speak against the McCain second-degree amendment which would extend the moratorium on States taxing Internet transactions from 3 years to 4. The Finance Committee had knocked it back to 2 years. We thought that was a reasonable length of time, given that we allowed 15 months to restructure the IRS; 18 months in getting the Medicare Commission to do its work. We believed that 2 years was a reasonable period of time. I was willing to go along with an extension of that from 2 years to 3. To go to 4 years is just much too long a time.

This is an issue where the Federal Government is intervening, saying the States can't raise taxes in a certain way. This is, in my judgment, without precedent.

I am willing to support this piece of legislation. I am willing to provide this moratorium so we can reach an understanding of how we will tax these transactions. But to allow 4 years--when we allow approximately 15 months in getting a commission to restructure the IRS, and 18 months in getting Medicare, Mr. President--is an unreasonable length of time.

I hope my colleagues will vote against the McCain amendment. We have been contacted by our Governors who are actually asking us to go along with the Finance Committee, which was 2 years. As I said, I'm willing to support a compromise to 3 years, but 4 years, given the amount of time we have allowed for some things that are more complicated than this, it is unreasonable and too lengthy a period of time.

Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation

Session-106; Bill Number-S 2606; Consumer Privacy Protection Act - Cosponsor

Sets forth operating parameters applicable to Internet service providers, online service providers, and commercial website operators with respect to the user of such service or website and: (1) the collection or disclosure of personally identifiable information; and (2) notice, consent, access and security requirements. Permits disclosure to law enforcement agencies and pursuant to court orders.

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