Foreign Robocall Elimination Act

Bill Number

S. 2666

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Science, Technology, Communications

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-06-01: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 422.

Last Updated

2026-06-05T23:13:37Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose This legislation directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create an interagency taskforce focused on unlawful robocalls, particularly those originating from outside the United States. Its goal is to study the issue, develop recommendations for better coordination and enforcement, and reduce the impact of these calls on U.S. consumers and businesses.

Key Provisions

• Establishes a taskforce within 270 days of enactment, led by the FCC in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Attorney General.
• The taskforce includes representatives from relevant federal agencies and seven private-sector members (such as voice service providers, analytics experts, marketing businesses, and consumer advocates).
• Requires the taskforce to produce a report within 360 days covering topics like the volume of foreign versus domestic robocalls, high-volume source countries, financial losses and identity theft, caller ID authentication standards (such as STIR/SHAKEN), international cooperation, enforcement resources, and best practices for blocking calls.
• Amends the Pallone-Thune TRACED Act to reduce consortium reporting from annually to once every three years.
• Provides legal immunity to the registered consortium for receiving, sharing, or publishing trace-back information on suspected unlawful calls.
• Allows publication of a list of non-cooperative voice service providers and permits enforcement actions based on that information.
• Requires providers to post a bond (up to $100,000) before certifying in the Robocall Mitigation Database, with exemptions for established, regulated, or low-risk providers.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a new interagency taskforce and reporting requirements not present in prior law.
• Modifies the TRACED Act's reporting frequency and adds immunity and list-publication provisions for the consortium.
• Creates a bond requirement for database participation, with criteria to exempt legitimate providers.

Potential Impacts

• Government agencies may see improved coordination among the FCC, FTC, and Department of Justice, along with possible resource assessments or a dedicated enforcement office.
• Citizens could benefit from stronger mitigation of foreign robocalls, reducing financial losses and identity theft.
• International relations may involve greater collaboration on call authentication and incentives for foreign countries to assist U.S. law enforcement.
• Voice service providers and technology firms could face new compliance costs or benefits from clearer best practices and liability protections.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal agencies (FCC, FTC, Department of Justice).
• Private-sector entities (voice service providers, analytics companies, marketing and nonprofit organizations).
• Consumers and consumer advocacy groups.
• The registered consortium under the TRACED Act.
• Foreign countries and international call providers.
• Congress (as recipient of the taskforce report).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• The immunity provision for the consortium limits potential lawsuits related to information sharing.
• The bond requirement and exemptions aim to balance enforcement with reduced burdens on compliant providers.
• The taskforce's focus on international issues and enforcement penalties may influence future legislation or diplomatic efforts, while the changes to reporting and database rules promote efficiency without creating new regulatory structures.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]

Cosponsors (3)

Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. Husted, Jon [R-OH], Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]

Recent Actions

• 2026-06-01: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 422.
• 2026-06-01: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-122.
• 2026-06-01: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-122.
• 2025-10-21: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
• 2025-08-01: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
• 2025-08-01: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Foreign Robocall Elimination Act — issued 2025-08-01 — PDF (11 pages)
• Foreign Robocall Elimination Act — issued 2026-06-01 — PDF (28 pages)