During a closed door meeting this week, Speaker of the House, John Boehner (R-OH), renewed his previous commitment to not move the Senate passed Marketplace Fairness Act in the House in the remaining weeks of Congress. Attending the meeting were roughly 30 House Republicans, among them co-sponsors of the bill and members of the Judiciary Committee that has jurisdiction over the bill.

The Senate passed the Marketplace Fairness Act in May of 2013. However, due to concerns with how this bill would impact small businesses and consumers, the House signaled its desire to find a more workable alterative. Last Fall, Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, released seven basic principles related to the collection of Internet sales taxes. The principles were intended to guide future discussions in Congress on how to address the issue of Internet sales taxes without overly burdening online businesses and stifling Internet and mobile commerce. Reports from those present at the meeting said that although Speaker Boehner is unwilling to move the bill this Congress, he is open to working with stakeholders and revisiting the issue next Congress. "We all agreed the Senate bill was not what we wanted," said Rep. Renee Ellmers of North Carolina after the meeting. She said Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia talked about some ideas he had for a House bill.

eBay Inc. opposes the Senate passed Marketplace Fairness Act and has called on Congress to not pass this bill during the lame duck session. eBay Inc. believes that, as currently written, this legislation will have an unfair impact on small businesses and entrepreneurs who use the Internet and has asked Congress to work with all stakeholders in an effort to find a solution that will not negatively affect tech-enabled businesses.

Find more information on eBay Inc.’s position on the Internet Sales Tax issue.