In an encouraging development for online merchants and purveyors, and the American economy as a whole, the House approved a four-year ban on an Internet sales-tax, voting to continue this tradition of no online taxes.

It was unanimously passed by Judiciary Committee as an addition to the Internet Tax Freedom Act (ITFA) Amendments Act of 2007.

The Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI), introduced the bill, saying it would extend the ban on state and local taxes on Internet access until November 1, 2011, giving Congress longer to ponder whether they will tax 'web sales. Conyers called the legislation, "pro-consumer, pro-innovation, and pro-technology.

" The legislation merely highlights the ongoing argument in Washington over whether 'Net taxes should be permanently outlawed.