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Washington Internet Daily – Marketplace Fairness Act Foes Hopeful House Judiciary Develops ‘Origin Sourcing’ Alternative

Washington Internet Daily – Marketplace Fairness Act Foes Hopeful House Judiciary Develops ‘Origin Sourcing’ Alternative

After MFA’s failure in December, Alexander told his supporters that the House would “have to move first” to get the bill passed in the 114th Congress, said NetChoice Executive Director Steve DelBianco. The task of generating support for MFA in the House has fallen to Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, who is working on related legislation, DelBianco said. Chaffetz’s draft proposal is “still a destination regime” whereby consumers are taxed based on their location, DelBianco said. The reintro- duction of MFA in the Senate “strikes me as more about politics,” he said. A “handful of senators wanted to honor promises they’d made to big retailers and state legislators,” said DelBianco: “Now they can check that box.” Alexander and Chaffetz didn’t comment.

The “elegance” of the hybrid sourcing model is “gaining new converts every week,” said DelBianco. Groups like the Retail Industry Leaders Association still prefer MFA, but that “could change if Goodlatte’s approach starts to gain momentum,” he said. Goodlatte’s staff is “accommodating questions” and possible “improvements” from all parties and could “soon introduce legislation and begin lining-up co-sponsors,” DelBianco said. A hearing on the matter would probably follow, he said.

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