WASHINGTON, DC – Today Congressman Pete Olson (TX-22) and Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) issued the following statements after their bipartisan amendment—identical to the text of the bipartisan legislation they introduced last week, the Locking Up Robocallers Act of 2019—was adopted during consideration of H.R. 3375, the Stopping Bad Robocalls Act. The amendment directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide evidence of unlawful robocall violations to the attorney general. It would also require the FCC to publish and submit to Congress a report outlining the number and types of robocaller violations. This would strengthen enforcement of current law aimed at ending the scourge of predatory robocalls. H.R. 3375, as amended, will now go to the full Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration.
“It’s past time to end the illegal robocalls folks constantly receive,” said Congressman Pete Olson. “Rep. McEachin and I introduced our bill, the Locking Up Illegal Robocallers Act, to empower the Justice Department to fully prosecute the criminals harassing Americans through deceptive robocall practices. I’m pleased our Communications & Technology subcommittee colleagues unanimously included our language in the Stopping Bad Robocalls Act. We need to hang up on harassing robocallers now!”
“I am proud that my bipartisan amendment was adopted,” said Congressman A. Donald McEachin. “People are sick and tired of robocalls, which can be annoying or even predatory. The Stopping Bad Robocallers Act will help reduce the number of robocalls received, and my amendment will help the Department of Justice do their job by ensuring the attorney general receives the evidence needed to better enforce current law. Most Americans want action to address robocalls and I am hopeful that the full House, Senate, and president will hear their voices and enact this bill into law.”