To amend section 223 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 223) to assure that the prohibitions of that section also apply to faxes and electronic mail transmitted over telephone lines.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Aug 4, 1995

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to include a fax or electronic mail message within the definition of "telephone call" for purposes of the Act's prohibitions against making or knowingly permitting the use of a telephone facility for obscene or harassing telephone calls in the District of Columbia or in interstate or foreign communications.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-17] · D–NY

Committees

Energy and Commerce Committee

0 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.

Aug 14, 1995
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.
Aug 4, 1995
Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.
Aug 4, 1995
Introduced in House
Aug 4, 1995
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 · Aug 4, 1995 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

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2213 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.2213, 104th Congress: To amend section 223 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 223) to assure that the prohibitions of that section also apply to faxes and electronic mail transmitted over telephone lines.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/2213

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1995-08-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr2213/BILLS-104hr2213ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:36:36Z. 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.2213 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.2213 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.2213, 104th Congress: To amend section 223 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 223) to assure that the prohibitions of that section also apply to faxes and electronic mail transmitted over telephone lines.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/2213

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1995-08-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr2213/BILLS-104hr2213ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:36:36Z. 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.2213 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.2213 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.2213, 104th Congress: To amend section 223 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 223) to assure that the prohibitions of that section also apply to faxes and electronic mail transmitted over telephone lines.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/2213

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1995-08-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr2213/BILLS-104hr2213ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:36:36Z. 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.2213 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.2213 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.2213, 104th Congress: To amend section 223 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 223) to assure that the prohibitions of that section also apply to faxes and electronic mail transmitted over telephone lines.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/2213

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1995-08-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr2213/BILLS-104hr2213ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:36:36Z. 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.2213 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.