Markey, Thune Bow Sequel to Traced Act

Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Communications Subcommittee ranking member John Thune, R-S.D., filed the Robocall Trace Back Enhancement Act Wednesday, which they describe as a follow-up to the 2019 Pallone-Thune Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (Traced) Act (see 1912310028). The new measure would bolster private sector-led work to trace back the origins of “illegal and bothersome” robocalls, Markey’s office said. The Traced Act “is already having an impact stopping illegal robocalls by blocking fraudulent calls before our cell phones even ring” and the new bill “is a natural extension” of the law, Markey said in a news release. “This legislation makes it easier to root out bad actors who illegally robocall countless phone numbers by promoting public accountability among, and aggressive action against, those responsible for illegal, fraudulent, and abusive robocalls.” The proposal “would build on” the Traced Act “by supporting privately led efforts to trace back and identify the origins of the calls,” Thune said. “We must continue to hold these bad actors accountable.” The lawmakers cited support from FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, who says the commission is “hard at work to trace and root out scam robocalls. But more tools are always welcome in this fight.”