Walden cheers FCC moves to ban robocalls

Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., released the following statement Thursday after the Federal Communications Commission announced a plan to implement provisions from the RAY BAUM’S Act to ban malicious spoofing calls and text messages:

“Last Congress, I helped secure the passage of the RAY BAUM’S Act. The bill took needed steps to stop illegal robocalls from harassing Americans by providing the FCC with new and improved tools to protect consumers.

“I am pleased with the commission’s proposal to implement these necessary tools and their commitment to stop the bad actors behind these menacing calls. This plan coincides with legislation I recently introduced, the Stopping Bad Robocalls Act, which would build on the progress we made with the RAY BAUM’S Act. I am confident that these continued efforts will ultimately lead to the end of pesky robocalls.”

Walden helped pass into law the RAY BAUM’s Act last Congress. The legislation was named after Ray Baum, a La Grande native and Walden’s former Staff Director on the Energy and Commerce Committee. Baum lost his life to cancer in February 2018.

The law prohibited spoofing calls or texts originating outside of the United States, provided the FCC greater authority to protect consumers from robocalls, and required the FCC to work with the Federal Trade Commission to educate Americans about available options to stop illegal robocalls.