Last September, the House passed a bill that would repeal the phone tax as well as fund the legislative branch, Treasury Department, Postal Service and other general government operations.  The bill repeals a federal telecommunications excise tax that was originally enacted in 1898 as a "temporary luxury tax" to finance the Spanish-American War. 

The federal phone tax is regressive, having more of an affect on lower-income Americans and people, such as senior citizens, on a fixed income.

Repeal of the telephone tax would also be of benefit to Internet customers by making access more affordable.

"I would urge the Clinton-Gore administration to take this opportunity to provide relief to American telephone and Internet customers by signing this bill into law."