[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 155 (Saturday, September 27, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2087]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CALLING CARD CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT

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                               speech of

                          HON. MARY BONO MACK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2008

  Mrs. BONO MACK. Madam Speaker, I would like to express my opposition 
to the Calling Card Consumer Protection Act, H.R. 3402.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 3402, the Calling Card 
Consumer Protection Act. This bill--while well-intentioned--would only 
add to an increase in regulatory confusion because it sets up a system 
where lateral government organizations will not only be enforcing laws 
but also issuing their own interpretations of those laws. This is 
inefficient and it will breed confusion and conflict.
  How can we reasonably expect multiple governmental organizations, in 
this instance the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal 
Trade Commission, to agree on the meaning of a particular statute when 
members of those individual commissions can't seem to agree among 
themselves? The truth is we can't and that is why the FCC and FTC dual 
authority provision should be corrected.
  Finally, I recognize that State attorneys general can play a role in 
enforcing a Federal statute. However, empowering multiple entities with 
this authority will only force American businesses to spend valuable 
resources fighting litigation rather than investing in infrastructure, 
jobs, and consumer services.
  Madam Speaker for these reasons I ask that my colleagues oppose H.R. 
3402.

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