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H.R. 3161: To ratify the authority of the Federal Trade Commission to establish a do-not-call registry.

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H.R. 3161: To ratify the authority of the Federal Trade Commission to establish a do-not-call registry.

108th Congress · introduced 2003-09-24 · Commerce · Latest: Became Public Law No: 108-82.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2003-09-24 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Tauzin, W. J. (Billy) [R-LA-3] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 2 recorded votes in our records. Latest: House roll call 521 (2003): On Passage, HR3161 (2003-09-25), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 108-82. (final step reached)
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

To ratify the authority of the Federal Trade Commission to establish a do-not-call registry.

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by Senate on September 25, 2003. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Declares that the Federal Trade Commission is authorized under the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act to implement and enforce a national do-not-call registry. Ratifies the do-not-call registry provision of the Telemarketing Sales Rule which was promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission, effective March 31, 2003.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

To ratify the authority of the Federal Trade Commission to establish a do-not-call registry.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Tauzin, W. J. (Billy) [R-LA-3] · 39 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), Diana DeGette (D-CO)

Agencies named in this bill

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Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (2)
Authorization
A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.
Rulemaking
The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong108-hr3161 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong108 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong108