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Effort to Level Playing Field Online

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    Reps. Womack and Speier work to set standards for businesses

  • Duration 7:29
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This transcript is automatically generated

OKE.

There isn't much bipartisanship.

On Capitol Hill as we all know nobody seems to be able to get along that over that.

But fortunately two people -- we're all -- to be joined now.

By congressman Steve -- Womack Republican of Arkansas and congresswoman.

Jackie -- Democrat of California look at them standing even close together it's so nice to see some -- love on the hill.

No she's a lot better looking and I am stunned that I'm not going -- come as of but congresswoman let me come to you first.

You introduce yes today the bipartisan marketplace.

Equity act and this is -- -- back collecting and all online sales tax explain exactly what the act would do.

Well I'm motivated out of a sense of fairness for -- emergence.

In my local area big and small.

Food.

Have to do business in an extremely.

Difficult tax environment in that because of a lack of a nexus.

That an online retailer might have with a state of -- Arkansas.

That the law does not provide that -- online retailer has to collect and remit the sales tax is doing an online purchase.

And so the burden of paying those taxes rests with the purchasers.

And of course we all know what's happening is it that they they're not paying those taxes.

So this creates a very serious uneven playing field for the local merchants.

And -- so my motivation is out of respect for them and the fact that they compete on -- on an extremely difficult playing field.

When the advantage the tax advantages belong with the online retailer.

Congresswoman if you introduced this kind of legislation and get it cost.

The the companies that are selling well online -- -- going to say well that's always gonna charge -- for a good so while you may be protecting your local businesses.

Don't you put an extra burden on the people buying things online because they'll get price increases.

Well actually.

We're all required to either pay the sales tax or.

Reported on our state income tax as personal use tax so.

Technically and legally -- must post a sales tax on every product they drive.

Yeah -- of the slogans of this effort is a sale is a sale is for sale.

And what's happened is the Internet was given a pass some years ago because it was a fledgling new industry and we want to make sure that it would.

Do well well it's done very well so well that in fact it's impacting the small businesses and here's some of the small businesses who.

We heard yesterday talk about how people would come into their businesses.

Look at the camera kick the tires on the bicycle and then literally going out out of the the small businesses.

Establishment.

And order it online because this is not fair it's not right and we're just trying to -- creates a level playing field.

For small and large businesses -- Congressman Dana -- -- not many Republicans not keen on raising any taxes.

Why do you think this is one that should be and well.

Now now wait a minute let's don't let's don't say this is raising attacks because it is not -- attacks -- I've heard those arguments before.

This is about fairness for the brick and mortar businesses that hasn't been the backbone of the American retail economy for a long long time.

-- into the because of a lack of action on the part of congress which has the vested authority.

To level this playing field because of a lack of congressional action.

To allow an online retailer to have this.

Sensational advantage this enormous advantage over their brick and mortar counterparts.

Is destructive to local communities and I think we've got to fix the fairness issue and the time is now and I think this bipartisan bill doesn't.

-- also -- that yes it states that don't have sales tax this would not create a sales taxpayer they would continue to operate.

With no sales tax it is only affects -- states that choose.

Require the collection of sales tax by online.

Operators.

I congresswoman -- it sounds eminently reasonable.

Omelet -- NN eminently unreasonable political atmosphere on Capitol Hill these days what kind of reaction are you getting to this up propose legislation.

More actually getting out -- a very good reaction and you know congress is great about offering lip service.

Two issues like small businesses we want to help small business and begins in our economy and yet here's a simple way a very simple way.

-- -- creating.

A level playing field for those small businesses giving him a chance to survive.

And we we think this is a great step forward and hope that we can -- -- -- If I can only add one more thing we're not here to debate business models whether they -- the retail merchant on the main street.

Here's a more preferable solution to the consuming public in the online retailer that that's not the issue here the issue is.

One has an advantage over the other -- as -- concerns tax policy we think that that should be fixed in and then let the consuming public.

Be the determinant.

In a free market economy as to which business model is preferable.

Part -- your talking with one voice -- from both sides of the political divide let me see if I can split you up.

The president's sudden -- American jobs act failed it didn't cost the senate.

Were some Republican senators now considering putting forward.

For their own piece of legislation.

This afternoon including Senator McCain and senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Congresswoman walked.

Does congress need to do to create jobs for the American people and why -- do it.

Well we can do it and I think we can do -- on a bipartisan.

Manner as well because we all recognize the infrastructure in this country's crumbling.

There's an easy opportunity now.

To fix the bridges that are unsafe.

To fix the runways.

That -- potholes and there's many efforts that we can undertake right away that were.

Not only create jobs for all the people they can bill that jobs for all the people think the trickle down benefit from having people out there working and I might also add.

There's a lot we can do in terms of reducing.

The mortgages that Fannie and Freddie own.

From 6% to 4%.

Giving Americans another 800 dollars a month.

In their pocket books by just giving him heat.

And going right today.

Congressman well what -- won't he'll propose solutions for the jobs crisis.

Well look if I can just take one as an example -- -- in my district a lot of times talked a lot of jumpers if there was one thing we could do.

And that is to reduce this hyper regulatory environment that.

The job creators having to operate in I think that's where a lot of this uncertainty is vested in the economy.

So I would just say as one solution of many out there.

That reducing the regulatory burdens placed -- our job creators is one area where I would -- put a lot of emphasis right now all right congresswoman Jackie -- Democrat of California thank you very much and congressman.

Before we go Lou I understand that your press secretaries of big -- -- and found.

And you gonna defiant hand Manhattan -- -- the razorbacks last -- -- I wanna say congratulations to you the razorbacks the winning and congratulations to -- Davis holding onto his job I guess.

Well they you know that's a good thing JR has been pretty quiet this week -- go hogs and it was a great win over the tigers.

All right come as well back thank you very much -- -- -- -- great to see both in good luck with a -- my pleasure equity act.

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