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Washington Prowler

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With the clock literally ticking on the Internet Tax Moratorium's expiration, Republicans, led by Sens. John McCain, John Sununu, and Mitch McConnell, have been pressing for permanent extension of the moratorium that would bar states and localities from taxing peoples' use of the Internet.

"It would essentially make the Internet a toll road, with taxpayers paying as much five to six dollars extra a month on their bills just for the use of the Internet," says a GOP Senate leadership aide.

Last week Sununu had pulled together enough votes -- including two Democrats -- to push a permanent extension of the moratorium to a vote by the full Senate. But Senate Commerce Committee chairman, Sen. Daniel Inouye pulled consideration of the bill Sununu and others wanted amended.

Inouye has been supportive of a temporary extension, telling some advisers that he'd go as long as six years.

But many Republicans want the permanent extension, and Sununu is willing to fight, which is why Reid's eyes perhaps got a bit brighter earlier this week. "Reid thinks there is enough friction on this issue that there will be no consensus on the moratorium, it will expire, and Sununu can take the fall for no extension. He wants Sununu down and out going into 2008," says a Democrat leadership aide. "We're looking at building a filibuster proof majority of 60 for 2008. That's the goal and Sununu has to go."

topics:
Harry Reid, Military, NATO