Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

Foreign Robocall Elimination Act

Summary

The Foreign Robocall Elimination Act directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a taskforce on unlawful robocalls originating from outside the United States. The taskforce will include representatives from various federal agencies and the private sector. Its primary goal is to develop recommendations for combating these robocalls and to report findings to Congress.

Expected Effects

The Act aims to reduce the number of unlawful robocalls originating from foreign countries that target US citizens. This will be achieved through enhanced collaboration between federal agencies, private sector entities, and potentially international partners. The FCC will play a central role in coordinating these efforts.

Potential Benefits

  • Reduced instances of fraud and identity theft resulting from foreign robocalls.
  • Increased consumer protection and privacy.
  • Improved coordination among federal agencies in combating unlawful robocalls.
  • Encouragement of international cooperation in addressing the robocall problem.
  • Potential for technological advancements in call authentication and verification.

Potential Disadvantages

  • The taskforce's effectiveness depends on the cooperation of foreign countries, which may be difficult to secure.
  • The Act's implementation may require additional resources from the FCC, FTC, and Department of Justice.
  • The taskforce's recommendations may not be fully implemented by Congress or federal agencies.
  • The Act may not completely eliminate foreign robocalls, as determined actors may find ways to circumvent the new measures.
  • There may be delays in establishing the taskforce and submitting the report to Congress.

Constitutional Alignment

The Act aligns with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) of the US Constitution, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations. By addressing robocalls originating from outside the US, the Act seeks to regulate a form of communication that affects interstate and international commerce. Additionally, the Act does not appear to infringe upon any individual liberties or rights protected by the Bill of Rights.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).