http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/09/25/financial1238EDT0120.DTLHouse overwhelmingly approves
`do-not-call' legislation
DAVID HO, Associated Press Writer Thursday, September 25, 2003
The House approved legislation Thursday aimed at ensuring the national "do-not-call" list goes into effect as scheduled next week so consumers can block many unwanted telemarketing sales pitches.
The House voted 412-8 after less than hour of debate. Lawmakers from both parties uniformly blasted a decision by U.S. District Judge Lee R. West, who ruled Tuesday that the Federal Trade Commission lacked authority to create and operate the registry.
"The judge in this case is dead wrong and I'm sure his decision will in turn be overturned," said Rep. Billy Tauzin, R-La., chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. "We should probably call the bill 'This Time We Really Mean It Act' to cure any myopia in the judicial branch. The bill leaves no doubt as to the intent of Congress."
The bill says the FTC may operate the list, which was approved by Congress last year and is scheduled to take effect Wednesday. The Senate was expected to pass similar legislation Thursday.
If the bill passes both chambers and is signed into law by President Bush, that does not automatically nullify the court order. West, the Oklahoma City judge, must still dismiss the case brought by telemarketers in order for the list to move ahead.
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