Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/

["Alan MacHett" <machett AT ibiblio.org>]

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2003/09/tjmstatement030924.htm

For Release: September 24, 2003

Statement of FTC Chairman Timothy J. Muris

Late last year, the Federal Trade Commission issued rules creating the
National Do Not Call Registry under the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud
and Abuse Prevention Act. On February 13, 2003, the Congress passed the Do
Not Call Implementation Act, which authorized the FTC to collect fees from
sellers and telemarketers to "implement and enforce the provisions
relating to the 'do-not-call' registry." The President signed this bill on
March 11, 2003. Moreover, on February 20, 2003, the President signed the
Omnibus Appropriations Act, which authorizes the FTC to "implement and
enforce the do-not-call provisions of the Telemarketing Sales Rule."

Despite this clear legislative direction, the U.S. District Court for the
Western District of Oklahoma has ruled that the FTC exceeded its authority
in creating the National Do Not Call Registry.

This decision is clearly incorrect. We will seek every recourse to give
American consumers a choice to stop unwanted telemarketing calls.