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Promotes bill to keep unwanted political “robo-calls” out of North Carolina homes

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-05) yesterday testified before the Committee on House Administration about keeping unwanted political “robo-calls” out of voters’ homes. Foxx told members of Congress about legislation she introduced this Congress called the Robo Calls Off Phones (Robo COP) Act.

“Instead of people being encouraged to get out and vote and engaging with candidates they are being turned off,” Rep. Foxx told the Committee. “That’s the last thing in the world that I want to have happen in this country.”

Foxx’s legislation (H.R. 248) would prohibit pre-recorded or robotic political calls to individuals who do not wish to receive these calls. This bill is similar to one Foxx introduced in the 109th Congress.

“It is a travesty that people can sign up for the Do Not Call registry for everything but political calls. The public hates it when

the Congress and politicians make different rules for us.” Foxx said. “We must not set Congress and other elected officials apart from the way we treat business and industry.”

During the campaign season, voters are often targeted with robotic political calls that advertise, campaign, and solicit donations for or against political candidates or issues. These “robo-calls” typically come in the evening and interrupt family dinners and gatherings.

Rep. Foxx's bill allows anyone who does not wish to receive such calls to opt-out by registering not to receive them, just as they can for telemarketing calls. The legislation applies to unsolicited politically-oriented recorded calls where a live person is not available to speak with the individual answering the phone.

Click Here to watch a video of Rep. Foxx’s discussing her experiences with robo-calls during the 2004 primary election.

To read a news report about the hearing click here.

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