The Marketplace Fairness Act

Floor Speech

Mr. WELCH. Madam Speaker, as we debate the bipartisan H.R. 3086, the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act, I would like to draw your attention to another important bipartisan effort, the Marketplace Fairness Act.

Over a year ago, the Senate passed that act with strong bipartisan support from 69 Senators. As you know, essentially what it says is that we will treat retailers the same, whether they are brick-and-mortar retailers in our downtown or Internet retailers, and if the State has passed a sales tax, then it would apply to all transactions.

This is important. When I talk to Vermont's small business owners, they tell me stories about the incredible unlevel playing field that they face. Folks come in, browse, shop, and then go online to buy. The difference is the sales tax avoidance.

These brick-and-mortar businesses are absolutely essential to the vitality of so many communities in Vermont and in so many communities in your State. This is hurting our small businesses, which make up about 60 percent of our State's private sector workforce.

Madam Speaker, I urge us to act on the Marketplace Fairness Act.

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