Maloney Helps Pass Bipartisan Bill Targeting Robocalls

Today, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) voted in support of S. 151, the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act (TRACED Act), a bipartisan bill cracking down on spam calls, or “robocalls”. Bipartisan companion legislation has broad support in the Senate and is expected to pass this month.

“Robocalls are a nuisance and it’s time we find real solutions. I’m proud to help pass the TRACED Act, which will put an end to the persistent robocalls sent out to families across the Hudson Valley and protect New Yorkers from these scam artists,” said Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney.

The bill will allow consumers to block calls at no cost and empower the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to regulate robocalls by requiring telecom providers to verify that calls are coming from real numbers, not scam or spoof numbers. It will also require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to take more action against those sending out illegal robocalls.

Over 54 billion robocalls were placed to-date in 2019. In November alone, over 283 million robocalls were received by consumers in the state of New York. Nearly half of robocalls are scam calls.