The Retail Industry Leaders Association thanked House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Tex.) and Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich.) for scheduling the hearing on the act, which would close the sales tax loophole by allowing states to require online retailers to collect and remit state sales tax. RILA Executive Vice President for Public Affairs Katherine Lugar commended bill sponsors Congressman Steve Womack (R-Ark.) and Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) for building a bipartisan coalition in support of the legislation.

"Retailers compete on price every single day, and it's time for government to stop meddling in the free market by giving one segment of the retail industry special treatment over everyone else," said Lugar. "Regardless of whether a sale happens in a store or online, the state sales tax collected should be the same. Government shouldn't be picking winners and losers by giving online companies and artificial competitive advantage.

"Congressman Womack and Congresswoman Speier have built strong bipartisan support for their legislation with 47 House members currently signed on as cosponsors. That support, coupled with strong backing from Republican governors across the country gives us confidence that Congress will act.

"Retailers have been waiting a long time, and today's hearing is the next big step forward toward restoring a true free market.  We remain committed on behalf of America's retailers to working with lawmakers in both parties, in the House and the Senate, to push for action this year that levels the playing field once and for all."

Advocates for closing the decades-old loophole say that local economies and jobs are at risk without Congressional action.

Source: RILA