Two of the richest men in the world are sticking-up for brick-and-mortar businesses big and small, which have long complained that their online competitors have an unfair advantage because they don't have to collect state sales taxes.
Warren Buffett and Bill Gates told CNBC that the Internet sales-tax bill, which passed the Senate on Monday, makes sense.
(Read More: Attention Online Shoppers: Tax-Free Deals Near End)
The bill, which still needs to clear the House, would empower states to require businesses to collect taxes for products they sell on the Internet, in catalogs, and through radio and TV ads.
Under current law, states can only require retailers to collect sales taxes if the store has a physical presence in the state.
The measure faces opposition in the House from Republicans who view it as a tax increase.