U.S. Senate Approves Proposed “Marketplace Fairness Act” Meaning " Internet Sales Tax"

Ten Senators, led by Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mike Enzi (R-WY), and Lamar Alexander (R-TN), this morning introduced a new Internet sales tax bill called the “Marketplace Fairness Act.” The bill gives states broad authority to require that online sellers like Amazon collect and remit state sales taxes so that online and offline retailers all operate under the same rules.

Companies have long been required to collect sales tax in states where they have a physical presence. Back in 1992, the Supreme Court confirmed that retailers don’t have to collect sales tax when shipping to other states, as it would be too complicated (but it did invite Congress to a pass a law setting new rules in the future).

On the Republican side, perhaps the most egregious vote was the Enzi amendment to allow states to form a cartel and collect internet sales taxes for other states.  The so-called Market Fairness Act passed in the form of a second degree amendment by 75-24, with the support of 26 Republicans.  This will send the message to Harry Reid that he has more than 60 votes to pass this as a standalone bill.  In doing so, they have voted to grow government all over the country, hurt low-tax states, impose taxation without representation, saddle small businesses with collecting taxes for 10,000 distinct tax jurisdictions, and adulterate the freest most successful entity known to man.  You can read more about it here.

Here are the 26 Republicans:

Alexander

Blunt

Boozman

Burr

Chambliss

Coburn

Cochran

Collins

Corker

Crapo

Enzi

Fischer

Graham

Hoeven

Isakson

Johanns

Johnson, R

Kirk

McCain

Moran

Portman

Risch

Sessions

Shelby

Thune

Wicker

One other important vote from a Republican vantage point was Ted Cruz’s amendment to reduce foreign aid to Egypt.  It only garnered the support of 25 senators.   I’ll check back with more updates after fully digesting all the votes.