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H.R.3798 / 105th Congress

Telephone Billing Fairness Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 6, 1998

Telephone Billing Fairness Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to require each provider of telephone exchange or toll service and any billing agent for such provider, upon request of a subscriber, to block from inclusion in the subscriber's telephone bill any charges for products or services that are not telephone exchange or toll service. Allows a subscriber to consent to the inclusion of such charges by way of an oral or written request followed by a subsequent confirmation. Directs the FCC to require all providers and their agents to notify their subscribers that they may: (1) obtain blocking of such charges through an oral or written request; and (2) consent to the inclusion of such charges in the manner set forth above. Provides that, for purposes of this Act, telephone toll service does not include commercial mobile services or pay-per-call services.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-13] · D–NJ

Committees

  • Energy and Commerce Committee
6 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection.

  2. Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.

  3. Introduced in House

  4. 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: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.3798 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

Examine H.R.3798 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.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.3798 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.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.3798 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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