Senators warn against sales tax vote

Senators clashed over a budget resolution amendment to empower states to tax online purchases.

Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) argued in speeches on the Senate floor that the amendment, which is based on their Marketplace Fairness Act, would close an unfair loophole that benefits online retailers over local brick-and-mortar stores. But Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), the chairman of the Finance Committee, called the proposal "revolutionary" and said lawmakers should take more time to consider potential consequences before rushing to a vote. "I think this amendment is not yet ready. It's premature," he said. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) warned that it would hurt businesses and destroy jobs. "There's absolutely nothing conservative about this," she said.