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September 25, 2003 at 08:00 PM
Industry Ponders Impact Of Court Ruling Blocking FTCs Do-Not-Call Rule
By
Washington
Industry representatives are assessing the impact of an Oklahoma federal courts ruling blocking enforcement of the Federal Trade Commissions do-not-call rule.
The issue is whether the courts decision will have any effect on the Federal Communications Commissions do-not-call regulation, which is the one that directly affects the life insurance industry.
Industry lawyers say the preliminary analysis is that the court ruling will not affect the FCCs regulation but that the issue needs additional study.
The Oklahoma court ruled that the FTC overstepped its authority by promulgating the do-not-call rule.
The decision is coming under heavy fire on Capitol Hill, where leading members of Congress are vowing to overturn it.
In a joint statement, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Billy Tauzin, R-La., and Ranking Democrat John Dingell, D-Mich., blasted the ruling, calling it disappointing.
The Energy and Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over the FTC.
“We are confident this ruling will be overturned and the nearly 50 million Americans who have signed up for the do-not-call list will remain free from unwanted telemarketing calls in the privacy of their own homes,” they say.
“Contrary to the courts decision, we firmly believe Congress gave the FTC authority to implement the national do-not-call list,” Tauzin and Dingell say.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and will take whatever legislative action is necessary to ensure consumers can stop intrusive calls from unwanted telemarketers,” they add.
