The U.S. Senate has passed legislation that would <A HREF="http://www.cio.com/article/149001/Senate_OKs_Extension_of_Internet_Tax_Ban">extend a moratorium on Internet access taxes</A> for seven years, giving supporters hope that an extension will be signed into law before the current moratorium expires Nov. 1. The Senate late Thursday passed the seven-year extension on a voice vote. The moratorium would extend the ban on Internet-only taxes, such as access and "bit" taxes on information as it travels through a taxing jurisdiction. The Senate passed an amended version of a House of Representatives bill, the awkwardly named Internet Tax Freedom Act Amendments Act.