To authorize the Federal Communications Commission to enforce its own forfeiture penalties with respect to violations of restrictions on the use of telephone equipment.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 20, 2023

This bill gives the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authority to pursue specified unpaid fines for violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) via litigation. The TCPA prohibits certain telemarketing calls made without the recipient’s consent and using automatic dialing technology or artificial and prerecorded voice messages.

Under current law, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has authority to pursue unpaid fines for violations of the TCPA. Under the bill, if DOJ does not pursue an unpaid fine within a specified time period, the FCC may do so. The bill directs the FCC to prioritize the collection of unpaid fines over $25 million.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7] · D–CA

Committees

Energy and Commerce Committee
Judiciary Committee

7 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.

Jun 23, 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Jun 20, 2023
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jun 20, 2023
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jun 20, 2023
Introduced in House
Jun 20, 2023
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 · Jun 20, 2023 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

S 2095 · FCC Legal Enforcement Act

Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4224 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.4224, 118th Congress: To authorize the Federal Communications Commission to enforce its own forfeiture penalties with respect to violations of restrictions on the use of telephone equipment.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4224

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2023-06-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr4224/BILLS-118hr4224ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T09:16:14Z. 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.4224 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.4224 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.4224, 118th Congress: To authorize the Federal Communications Commission to enforce its own forfeiture penalties with respect to violations of restrictions on the use of telephone equipment.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4224

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2023-06-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr4224/BILLS-118hr4224ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T09:16:14Z. 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.4224 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.4224 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.4224, 118th Congress: To authorize the Federal Communications Commission to enforce its own forfeiture penalties with respect to violations of restrictions on the use of telephone equipment.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4224

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2023-06-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr4224/BILLS-118hr4224ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T09:16:14Z. 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.4224 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.4224 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.4224, 118th Congress: To authorize the Federal Communications Commission to enforce its own forfeiture penalties with respect to violations of restrictions on the use of telephone equipment.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4224

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2023-06-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr4224/BILLS-118hr4224ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T09:16:14Z. 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.4224 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.