Rep. Stevens Votes to Crack Down on Illegal Robocallers

WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) voted today to pass S. 151, the Pallone-Thune TRACED Act, a bipartisan bill to create civil penalties for scammers who violate the prohibition on robocalls to mobile phones, hotel or hospital rooms, or emergency lines.

“My constituents are fed up with the endless onslaught of unwanted phone calls,” said Congresswoman Stevens. “We need to do everything we can to stop this predatory behavior and restore trust in our telephone systems. Americans, especially older adults who are disproportionally targeted by scammers, should not have to deal with constant, unwelcome phone calls. I am proud to support this effective, bipartisan legislation and I hope the President signs the Pallone-Thune TRACED Act into law soon.”

The Pallone-Thune TRACED Act will also require telephone carriers to verify calls and allow robocalls to be blocked in a consistent and transparent way, all at no extra charge to consumers. 

Congresswoman Stevens previously voted for the Stopping Bad Robocalls Act, a bipartisan bill that passed the House of Representatives in July. Congresswoman Stevens also introduced the Stop Student Debt Relief Scams Act, a bipartisan bill to help identify and shut down scammers who robocall student loan borrowers until they agree to pay unnecessary and exorbitant fees. The Stop Student Debt Relief Scams Act was advanced by the House Education and Labor Committee in October as part of the College Affordability Act.

###