Tax free internet, now and forever

The internet works because it is free and open. No content or service is privileged, the barriers to access are low, and the opportunities to create and innovate are limitless.

It’s no accident that the internet developed this way. From the very beginning, I’ve been fighting off attempts to gum it up with regulations, fees, taxes, and industry giveaways that would chip away at the internet we know and love.

The internet is tax-free today because Congress passed a bill I co-wrote with Republican Representative Chris Cox called the Internet Tax Freedom Act of 1998. It saves anyone who pays for internet hundreds of dollars every year – breaking down a cost barrier to access. It also prohibits special taxes on anything bought online, allowing Etsy shops and small online businesses to compete with big brick-and-mortar retailers. It's something that Congress had to renew year after year – until now.

Earlier this month, Congress finally removed the expiration date and internet tax freedom is the law of the land, now and forever.

A permanent tax-free internet is an important victory, but it isn’t the end of the line. I’m going to keep fighting to make sure all Americans can access the internet and that we keep it free and open!

Thank you for standing with me.

Ron