FCC Legal Enforcement Act
Sponsored By: Senator Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
Introduced
Summary
Gives the FCC new power to sue over large unpaid robocall fines and to set priorities for big penalties. This bill would let the FCC start and supervise litigation using its own lawyers if the Attorney General does not act within 120 days, allow the agency to recover prosecution costs, require prioritizing unpaid penalties above $25 million, and broaden when limits on automated calls apply to protect subscribers from unwanted calls.
Show full summary
- Subscribers: The FCC would have broader discretion to apply limits on automated calls "as necessary" to protect people from unwanted calls.
- Companies that violate robocall rules: Firms facing large forfeitures could see faster, agency-led enforcement and a clear $25 million threshold for priority action.
- FCC and agency enforcement: The FCC could bring and oversee forfeiture litigation in its own name and seek recovery of litigation costs when DOJ does not act in 120 days.
- Attorney General/Department of Justice: The DOJ retains a 120-day window to commence recovery actions before the FCC may step in.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
FCC can sue for big robocall fines
If enacted, this bill would let the FCC sue to collect unpaid robocall fines for violations of section 227. This would apply when the Justice Department does not start a case within 120 days of a referral. The FCC could run the litigation and appeals in its own name and seek recovery of penalties and related costs. The bill would require the FCC to prioritize enforcement for penalties over $25,000,000. It would also give the Commission broader discretion to limit automated calls when it judges that subscriber protection needs it.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 3/13/2025
Peter Welch
VT • D
Sponsored 3/13/2025
Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 3/13/2025
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 3/13/2025
Amy Klobuchar
MN • D
Sponsored 3/13/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov