Congressman Mica, how do you feel about unwanted phone calls?     

     Congress passed H.R. 395, the Do-Not-Call Implementation Act (Public Law No: 108-10) with my support and it was signed into law by the President on March 11, 2003.  This measure restricts telemarketers from calling the homes of individuals who choose to be placed on a national "do not call" registry.  Consumers are required to contact the Federal Trade Commission and request that their home phone number be placed on the registry.  Individuals can now register online at www.donotcall.gov or call 888-832-1222.

      Telemarketers who violate this policy by calling any number on the registry are subject to fines of up to $11,000 per call.  Hopefully, this will curtail unwanted phone calls and solicitations.

     Currently, telemarketers can call homes of working Americans between the hours of 8 am and 9 pm.  Unfortunately, a large number of phone solicitors choose to abuse this privilege by contacting households at inconvenient times.  People need a little more privacy from unwanted calls during evening hours for a change, particularly individuals who work long hours and families with young children.