To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit knowingly misinforming the relative of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States that such member is deceased, injured, or missing due to an event associated with their military service.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 11, 2003

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit making a telephone call or initiating a communication with a telecommunications device in interstate or foreign commerce to knowingly misinform the relative of a member of the armed forces that such member is deceased, injured, or missing due to an event associated with his or her military service.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. McCotter, Thaddeus G. [R-MI-11] · R–MI

Committees

Energy and Commerce Committee

14 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Apr 24, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.
Apr 11, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Apr 11, 2003
Introduced in House
Apr 11, 2003
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Apr 11, 2003 Formatted Text PDF

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: Jan 2, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.1771 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1771, 108th Congress: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit knowingly misinforming the relative of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States that such member is deceased, injured, or missing due to an event associated with their military service.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/1771

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-04-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr1771/BILLS-108hr1771ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T16:23:03Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.1771 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.1771 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1771, 108th Congress: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit knowingly misinforming the relative of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States that such member is deceased, injured, or missing due to an event associated with their military service.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/1771

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-04-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr1771/BILLS-108hr1771ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T16:23:03Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1771 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.1771 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1771, 108th Congress: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit knowingly misinforming the relative of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States that such member is deceased, injured, or missing due to an event associated with their military service.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/1771

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-04-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr1771/BILLS-108hr1771ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T16:23:03Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1771 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.1771 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1771, 108th Congress: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit knowingly misinforming the relative of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States that such member is deceased, injured, or missing due to an event associated with their military service.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/1771

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-04-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr1771/BILLS-108hr1771ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T16:23:03Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1771 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.