Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene released the following statement regarding today’s passage of the Marketplace Fairness Act by the U.S. Senate.  This legislation would allow local brick-and-mortar retailers to compete more effectively against out-of-state Internet retailers, by closing the current tax loophole that has prevented states from collecting existing sales taxes on internet purchases.  While brick-and-mortar retailers collect sales and use taxes from customers who make purchases in their stores, many online and catalog retailers do not collect the same taxes. The Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 would give states the option to require the collection of sales and use taxes already owed under State law by out-of-state businesses:

“The Senate’s bipartisan vote to pass the Marketplace Fairness Act today is good news for Washington state’s Main Street retailers.

“Fundamentally, this bill is about fairness for our local brick and mortar retailers. The bill levels the playing field for physical retailers who today face a competitive disadvantage from out-of-state internet retailers.

“The Marketplace Fairness Act is common sense legislation that helps small businesses without raising or imposing any new taxes.

“Not only does this legislation help Main Street, it also benefits our local communities by recovering lost revenue that will help fund our schools, transportation infrastructure and first responders.

“As a co-sponsor of this bill in the House and a member of the Judiciary Committee, I am eager to work with my colleagues to move this legislation forward in the House.. I am committed to doing everything I can to pass this important legislation that will restore some long overdue fairness in the market and provide an equal playing field for our local retailers.”

# # #