This afternoon, House Ways & Means Committee members Sam Johnson (R-TX) and Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) sought to attach the MOBILE Cell Phone Act (H.R. 690) to small business tax legislation being marked-up by the Committee. H.R. 690, which enjoys bipartisan support from nearly 200 cosponsors, would repeal the arcane IRS listed property rule that requires personal use of employer-provided cell phones to be considered a taxable benefit for employees. CTIA-The Wireless Association® President and CEO Steve Largent issued the following statement in response to this afternoon’s activity:

“CTIA greatly appreciates the continued leadership on this issue by Representatives Johnson and Pomeroy. Their effort to provide the millions of hardworking Americans who have an employer-provided wireless device relief from the IRS listed property rule is to be commended.

“While we understand why the amendment had to be withdrawn at this time, we are eager to get the MOBILE Cell Phone Act enacted as soon as possible this year. The rule the bill seeks to correct is outdated and must be repealed as it penalizes productivity and efficiency.

“In light of the broad support this bill enjoys on the Hill and in the Obama Administration, we urge Congress to act swiftly pass the Johnson-Pomeroy legislation.”

CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry’s voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry’s leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, DC.