FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- September 25, 2003 -

STEARNS JOINS IN OFFERING AND PASSING BILL REINSTATING NATIONAL DO-NOT-CALL LIST

MEASURE OVERCOMES COURT OBJECTION BY GIVING SPECIFIC AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT LIST

WASHINGTON, SEPT. 25, 2003 - "For millions of Americans, the national Do-Not-Call list offers shelter from constant and annoying telephone calls," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "As an original cosponsor of H.R. 3161, a measure ratifying the establishment of the Do-Not-Call registry, I appreciate my colleagues' quick action in approving this legislation."

A federal judge recently voided the Do-Not-Call registry, noting that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has the authority to enforce the list, but that Congress had not empowered the Commission to establish the list. H.R. 3161 gives the FTC explicit authority to establish and enforce the national Do-Not-Call list. Under the registry, consumers enroll in the free service using the Internet or a toll-free number. Telemarketers are required to check the list every 3 months to find out who does not want to be called, and those telemarketers who call those on the list could be fined up to $11,000 for each violation.

"As a member who has championed consumer information privacy legislation for the past two years, I think a national Do-Not-Call list is a small, but important, step towards enhancing consumer privacy," said Stearns. "There is no question that I join most of my constituents in welcoming an effective measure designed to protect us from unwanted telephone solicitations."

For Further Information Please Contact Paul Flusche at 202-225-5744 or Email.