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Authors bill to allow citizens to opt-out of political robo-calls

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx today announced that she introduced legislation to crack down on abusive political robo-calls.  Her bill, the Robo Calls Off Phones Act (H.R. 116), allows anyone who signs up for the federal government’s existing “Do Not Call” list to opt out of political robo-calls.  Currently, political robo-calls are exempt from compliance with the federal “Do Not Call” list.  Foxx does not do political robo-calls. 

“Every campaign season, like clockwork, voters are bombarded with an endless stream of political robo-calls,” Foxx said.  “There is little voters can do to stop this invasion of their homes, which often happens during dinner time or even late at night.  My bill fixes this problem by allowing anyone to opt out of these calls by simply signing up for the federal government’s ‘Do Not Call’ list.”

Under Foxx’s legislation anyone who wishes do opt out political robo-calls need only sign up for the federal “Do Not Call” list, which currently applies to most telemarketing.  Political robo-calls are exempt from the “Do Not Call” list and this bill closes that loophole. 

“Americans hate it when politicians make special rules for themselves, and political robo-calls are a perfect example, Foxx said.  “Citizens should be allowed to stop automated political calls from coming to them just as they can stop telemarketing calls.  Closing this loophole is a matter of fairness and will help bring a much needed dose of peace and quiet to North Carolina homes during campaign season.”

Anyone who wishes to continue to receive automated political calls will still be able to receive them. Foxx’s legislation strictly applies to unsolicited, political robo-calls where a live person is not available to speak with the individual answering the phone.