Washington, DC - Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this legislation to clarify that Congress specifically authorizes the Federal Trade Commission to establish a Do Not Call Registry. 

 

During debate last year on the Do Not Call Registry, I had initially preferred that Congress enact even stronger language.  But, in voting for the registry, I never thought that the language we enacted wouldn’t be sufficient enough to withstand judicial review.

 

Mr. Speaker, the people have spoken.  They want the power to reduce the number of annoying telemarketing calls that too often interrupt the precious, yet increasingly limited, time that they spend with their families.  The response has been tremendous.

 

I’ve joined over 50 million Americans who have already signed up for the registry, and it hasn’t even gone into effect yet.  The Do Not Call registry is a popular consumer protection tool that needs to be implemented. 

 

The FTC has moved swiftly on behalf of consumers, and we should do the same.  If the FTC needs this specific authority, then let’s pass this bill today, get it to the President and make sure that there is no disruption in the FTC’s ambitious timeline to make the Do Not Call registry a reality for millions of American consumers.