BILL REAUTHORIZES DO-NOT-CALL REGISTRY BLOCKING UNWANTED TELEMARKETING CALLS

Washington, Dec 11, 2007 - "I joined in enacting the national Do-Not-Call registry in 2003 to provide citizens relief from unwanted commercial telephone solicitations," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL). "This allows consumers to place their home phone numbers on a list that prohibits these telemarketing calls. Unfortunately, the authority of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to collect the fees to maintain the Registry has expired. My legislation renews that authority."

The House today approved H.R. 2601, the Do-Not-Call Registry Fee Extension Act, which permanently restores the FTC's authority to collect the necessary fees from telemarketers to maintain and update the Registry. The Senate is working to approve similar legislation.

Added Stearns, "I appreciate this broad bi-partisan support for this legislation. I have heard countless expressions of gratitude for providing a means to stop these unwanted calls at home. Those who have added their numbers to the Registry have seen a noticeable decrease in calls interrupting their family life."