Media Contact:
Matthew Berry, (202) 418-2005
matthew.berry@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER AJIT PAI
WASHINGTON, February 11, 2016.—FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai made the following 
statement in response to the U.S. Senate’s passage of the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act as part of 
the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015:
“This is a great day for American consumers.  The U.S. Senate passed the Permanent Internet Tax 
Freedom Act with a strong bipartisan vote.  This confirms a national consensus that state and local taxes 
on Internet access should be taken off the table once and for all.  These taxes would make (and in some 
places already have made) broadband more expensive, reducing consumers’ ability and willingness to get 
online.  This, in turn, would reduce private sector investment in deploying broadband, especially in rural 
areas, and inhibit entrepreneurship.  I hope the bill is enacted soon—Americans need and want the 
certainty that the digital world will be spared the taxman.”
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Office of Commissioner Ajit Pai: (202) 418-2000
Twitter: @AjitPaiFCC
www.fcc.gov/leadership/ajit-pai
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official 
action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).