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H.R.1499 / 104th Congress

Telemarketing Fraud Punishment and Prevention Act of 1996

Received in the Senate.

Official summary

Version 36 · Passed House amended · Sep 25, 1996

Telemarketing Fraud Punishment and Prevention Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal criminal code to direct the court, in sentencing for telemarketing fraud, to order that the defendant forfeit to the United States any property: (1) used or intended to be used to commit or to promote the commission of such offense; and (2) constituting, derived from, or traceable to the gross receipts that the defendant obtained directly or indirectly as a result of the offense. (Sec. 3) Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the sentencing guidelines to: (1) provide a sentencing enhancement for specified telemarketing fraud offenses by at least four levels (at least eight levels for telemarketing offenses that target persons over age 55); and (2) increase the offense level for any fraud offense by at least two levels if the defendant conducted activities to further the fraud from a foreign country. (Sec. 5) Requires the court to order restitution for specified telemarketing fraud offenses for which an enhanced penalty is provided. (Current law requires the court to order restitution for any such offense.) (Sec. 6) Applies penalty enhancement provisions for telemarketing fraud offenses to conspiracy to commit such offenses.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Heineman, Frederick K. (Fred) [R-NC-4] · R–NC

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
75 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Received in the Senate.

  2. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

  4. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

  5. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.

  6. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H11129-11129)

  7. Mr. McCollum moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  8. Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  9. Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  10. Subcommittee Hearings Held.

  11. Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.

  12. Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

  13. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E869)

  14. Introduced in House

  15. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.1499 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.1499 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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