Copyright 2000 The Washington Post
The Washington
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September 20, 2000, Wednesday, Final Edition
SECTION: FINANCIAL; Pg. G14; WIRED ECONOMY
LENGTH: 557 words
HEADLINE:
The Technology Roll Call: House of Representatives; Privacy, E-Commerce on House
Floor
BODY:
Here is how members of
Congress voted on recent technology legislation.
1. CELLULAR
PHONE PRIVACY
Passed, 402-3, on Feb. 25, 1999
The House passed a
bill bolstering criminal laws that protect the privacy of wireless
communications such as cellular phone calls. It also toughened a ban on altering
scanners for use in illegal interception of calls. A "yes" vote backed the bill.
2. Y2K LAWSUITS
Passed, 236-190, on May 12, 1999
The House passed a bill to curb lawsuits against companies based on Year
2000 computer problems. A "yes" vote was to pass the bill over objections it
denied basic legal rights and left companies unaccountable for misconduct.
3. ALCOHOL SALES VIA INTERNET
Passed, 310-112, on Aug.
3, 1999
The House voted to allow states to get U.S. court injunctions to
block the direct sale of out-of-state alcoholic beverages to their residents. A
"yes" vote was to pass a bill aimed at wineries and micro-breweries that sell
via the Internet.
4. LOCAL TV SIGNALS
Passed, 375-37, on
April 13, 2000
The House passed a bill providing $ 1.25 billion in loan
guarantees to finance the delivery of local TV signals to satellite subscribers
in smaller markets. Direct-broadcast satellite services would use the taxpayer
backing to build infrastructure for serving remote areas. A "yes" vote was to
pass the bill.
5. INTERNET TAXES
Passed, 352-75, on May
10, 2000
The House passed a bill adding five years to an existing ban on
new taxes aimed solely at Internet users, such as taxes on Internet access. Foes
wanted only a two-year extension. A "yes" vote was to extend the ban until
October 2006.
6. TWO MORE YEARS
Rejected, 208-219, on
May 10, 2000
The House rejected a bid to extend a current moratorium on
new Internet taxes for two instead of five years. Backers of the two-year option
said it gives states the best chance to develop policies to stem revenue losses
to electronic commerce. A "yes" vote favored a shorter extension of the ban.
7. TELEPHONE TAX REPEAL
Passed, 420-2,
on May 25, 2000
The House passed a bill to repeal by October 2002 the 3
percent federal tax on long-distance telecommunications. It was enacted in 1898
as a luxury tax to help finance the Spanish-American War. A "yes" vote was to
repeal the tax.
8. ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES
Passed, 426-4,
on June 14, 2000
The House approved the conference report on a bill
establishing legally binding electronic signatures and contracts for use in
Internet commerce domestically and globally. A "yes" vote was to pass the bill.
9. INTERNET GAMBLING
Rejected, 245-159, on July 17, 2000
The House failed to reach a two-thirds majority to pass a bill making it
a federal crime to place or receive bets over the Internet. The bill was aimed
mainly at casino-style sites and sports betting operations. A "yes" vote backed
the ban over arguments it would be government control of Internet content.
10. UNWANTED E-MAIL
Passed, 427-1, on July 18, 2000
The House passed a bill giving consumers power to block unwanted
commercial e-mail. If a consumer asks to be removed from a distribution list,
the sender of the "spam" must comply or faces fines. A "yes" vote was to pass
the bill.
-- Issue descriptions and voting data by Thomas's Roll
Call Report Syndicate
LANGUAGE:
ENGLISH
LOAD-DATE: September 20, 2000
