PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 103-297.
Congressional Research Service
Version 40 · House agreed to Senate amendment with amendment · Jul 25, 1994
Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act - Directs the Federal Trade Commission to prescribe rules prohibiting deceptive telemarketing acts or practices and other abusive telemarketing acts or practices. Requires such rules to include: (1) a requirement that telemarketers not make unsolicited calls in a pattern which a reasonable customer would consider coercive or abusive of the customer's right to privacy; (2) restrictions on the times of day and night when unsolicited calls can be made to consumers; and (3) a requirement that any telephone solicitor shall promptly and clearly disclose the purpose of the call. Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to promulgate similar rules regarding telemarketing by brokers and dealers, unless Federal laws or rules adopted by such Commissions provide protection or such rules are not necessary or appropriate in the public interest. Requires such Commissions to publish reasons for allowing any exception. (Sec. 4) Permits the attorney general of any State, whenever there is reason to believe that the interests of a State's residents are adversely affected because of a telemarketing practice which violates rules promulgated pursuant to this Act, to bring a civil action to enjoin such telemarketing and to obtain damages and other appropriate relief. (Sec. 5) Permits similar actions by any person adversely affected by violations of the rules promulgated pursuant to this Act, if the amount in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $50,000 in actual damages for each person adversely affected. (Sec. 8) Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to make it unlawful to disseminate by U.S. mails or by any means false advertisements concerning services. (Sec. 9) Permits the Federal Trade Commission, until two years following the promulgation of rules under this Act, to bring a criminal contempt action for violations of orders of the Commission obtained in false advertising cases. (Sec. 10) Provides for the review of the implementation of this Act, five years following the promulgation of rules, and for a report to the Congress.
People & committees
Rep. Swift, Al [D-WA-2] · D–WA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 103-297.
Became Public Law No: 103-297.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate agreed to House amendment to Senate amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S10267-10271)
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to House amendment to Senate amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S10267-10271)
Message on House action received in Senate and at the desk: House amendment to Senate amendment.
House agreed to Senate amendment with amendment pursuant to H. Res. 488. (consideration: CR H6158-6162)
Resolving differences -- House actions: House agreed to Senate amendment with amendment pursuant to H. Res. 488.(consideration: CR H6158-6162)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate in lieu of S. 568 with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S8375-8379)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate in lieu of S. 568 with an amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S8375-8379)
Senate struck all after the Enacting Clause and substituted the language of S. 568 amended.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
Senate Committee on Commerce discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Commerce discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 411 - 3 (Roll No. 45).
House roll call 45 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 411 - 3 (Roll No. 45).
House roll call 45 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H949-950)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 5, rule I, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H931-936)
Mr. Swift moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 9.
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 103-20.
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 103-20.
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Hazardous Materials.
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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