Technology voter guide 2006 - Senate methodology

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A signifies a tech-friendly vote; an X means a tech-unfriendly vote.

For an overview of Senate voting scores, click here. (You'll need an installed application that can read spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel Viewer, OpenOffice.org or Google Spreadsheets.)

1. For the Communications Decency Act.
The U.S. Supreme Court gutted this unconstitutional measure on grounds that it violated Americans' free-expression rights protected by the First Amendment.
June 1995
How we scored it: Yes=X, No=

2. For the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
Section 1201 of this 1998 law imposed "anti-circumvention" restrictions on computer science researchers and created a chilling effect. It is, however, still backed by many software and video game companies.
May 1998
How we scored it: Yes=X, No=

3. Prohibiting Internet gambling.
This said that, with a few exceptions designed to benefit favored industries such as horse racing, "it shall be unlawful for a person knowingly to use the Internet or any other interactive computer service to place, receive, or otherwise make a bet or wager with any person."
July 1998
How we scored it: Yes=X, No=

4. Making it more difficult to renew the Net tax ban.
This pro-tax amendment sought to require a three-fifths supermajority in both the House and the Senate to extend the moratorium on Internet taxation.
October 1998
How we scored it: Yes=X, No=

5. Increasing paperwork for Internet sellers.
This amendment said anyone selling something on the Internet, including eBay sellers, must complete additional paperwork or be fined by the federal government. It added restrictions that did not exist for people selling items through newspapers, garage sales or magazines.
October 1998
How we scored it: Yes=X, No=

6. For more e-commerce restrictions.
This was a vote to table (that is, postpone discussion of) an amendment. It would impose restrictions on the online sale of firearms, singling out the Internet but not telephone, newspaper classified ads or in-person purchases.
May 1999
How we scored it: Yes=, No=X

7. For Internet filters in schools and libraries.
The subsequent law, narrowly upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, said libraries and schools receiving federal funding must filter the Internet. Adults seeking unfiltered connections have to ask permission.
June 2000
How we scored it: Yes=X, No=

8. Making the ban on Net access taxes permanent.
In both the Senate and the House of Representatives, we gave high marks to politicians who voted for a moratorium on Internet access taxes.
May 2001
How we scored it: Yes=, No=X

9. To liberalize computer export restrictions.
This amendment said that in specific circumstances, "a license shall not be required for the export of after-market service or replacement parts."
September 2001
How we scored it: Yes=, No=X

10. Against taxing purchases made online.
This postpones discussion of an amendment designed to let a minority of state governments force other states to let online and mail order purchases be taxed (when they currently are not).
November 2001
How we scored it: Yes=, No=X

11. For free trade bill.
This bill contained Trade Promotion Authority for the president, which benefits free trade and is backed by technology firms.
August 2002
How we scored it: Yes=, No=X

12. Overruling state antispam laws with the Can-Spam Act.
This zapped tougher state laws that in some cases gave spam victims more rights, and it has hardly stemmed the flow of junk e-mail.
October 2003
How we scored it: Yes=X, No=

13. Extending the ban on Internet access taxes through 2007.
In both the Senate and the House of Representatives, we gave high marks to politicians who voted for a moratorium on Internet access taxes.
April 2004
How we scored it: Yes=, No=X

14. For research and development tax credit.
Renewing this was a key concern of technology firms, with the Information Technology Association of America saying that without it, "costs will rise for both future R&D projects and activities already under way, leaving executives to decide if some research and development should be delayed."
September 2004
How we scored it: Yes=, No=X

15. For nationalized ID card, linking databases.
The Real ID Act creates what amounts to a national identity card with "common machine-readable technology." It also raises privacy concerns by saying it will "provide electronic access by a state to information contained in the motor vehicle databases of all other states."
May 2005
How we scored it: Yes=X, No=