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119-s-2666119th CongressWALLET

Foreign Robocall Elimination Act

Sponsored By: Senator Budd, Ted [R-NC]

Passed Senate

Summary

This bill would create a coordinated federal effort to combat unlawful robocalls. It directs the FCC to form an interagency taskforce to study foreign-origin robocalls and report to Congress, grants legal immunity to a registered private-sector trace-back consortium for sharing call data, and requires up to a $100,000 bond for Robocall Mitigation Database certifications with exemptions for bona fide providers.

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  • Creates an FCC-led taskforce made up of federal agencies and private experts to deliver recommendations to Congress within 360 days of its formation. The report must study foreign-origin call volumes, identification of origin countries, STIR/SHAKEN adequacy, international collaboration, traceback improvements, incentives for cooperation, DOJ enforcement options, penalty structures, and resource needs.
  • Grants a registered private-sector consortium immunity from court actions for receiving, sharing, or publishing covered information about suspected fraudulent or illegal robocalls. The FCC or the consortium may publish lists of providers that refuse to join trace-back efforts or that originate substantial unlawful robocalls, and the FCC may act on that information.
  • Imposes a bond requirement of up to $100,000 for providers filing Robocall Mitigation Database certifications while allowing categorical exemptions for established, licensed, or otherwise bona fide providers. The FCC must target bonds at providers lacking legitimate operations and may adjust the bond framework and exemptions by rule.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Bond rule for risky phone carriers

Some phone providers would need to post a bond up to $100,000 before certifying in the robocall mitigation database, if the FCC finds it is needed to protect the system. Bonds would be required from providers that do not show real operations, proper oversight, or the ability to pay fines. The FCC would create categorical exemptions for established, regulated providers to limit burdens. This aims to block bad actors and strengthen robocall enforcement.

Stronger traceback and provider watchlists

A registered private traceback group would be protected from lawsuits for getting, sharing, or publishing call data. Covered data would include call records, provider names, and caller details. The FCC or the group, with the FCC, would be able to publish lists of providers that refuse to help or that send many illegal robocalls. The FCC would be able to take enforcement based on this information.

National task force on robocalls

The Federal Communications Commission would set up a robocall task force within 270 days. It would include federal agencies and seven private‑sector members. It would study foreign and domestic robocalls, caller ID authentication, traceback, penalties, and consumer losses. It would send a report to Congress within 360 days after it starts, then end 90 days later. The FCC, FTC, and Justice Department would be able to use existing funds to take part.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Budd, Ted [R-NC]

NC • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 8/1/2025

  • Sen. Husted, Jon [R-OH]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 2/12/2026

  • Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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