Bipartisan Foreign Robocall Elimination Bill Advances Senate Commerce Committee

The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee has approved the bipartisan Foreign Robocall Elimination Act, sponsored by Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Ted Budd (R-N.C.), aimed at combating illegal robocalls originating from overseas. The bill creates a public-private interagency task force within the Federal Communications Commission, including members from the private sector, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Department of Justice, to investigate foreign robocalling operations and propose policy solutions. This task force will study the origins, financial impact, and scale of foreign robocalls, while ensuring that legitimate communications are not disrupted. Additional provisions include requiring telecom companies to register with the FCC and post a $100,000 bond, as well as expanding liability protections for companies sharing call-tracing data. The legislation has garnered bipartisan support due to the widespread frustration among Americans across political lines who are targeted by billions of scam calls monthly. The bill now awaits full Senate consideration and aims to provide policymakers with better tools to protect consumers from these scams.