Spam Bill Expected to Reach Senate
A measure that would crack down on the unwanted junk e-mail known as spam soon will head to the Senate floor, said Sen. Conrad R. Burns (R-Mont.), one of the bill’s sponsors.
The measure enjoys enough support to win the Senate Commerce Committee’s approval when it is brought up for a committee vote, tentatively scheduled for May 16, Burns said.
“It looks like we’re finally going to get some action on spamming,” Burns said. “I think the bill is in pretty good shape right now.”
Although 22 states have passed anti-spam legislation, efforts in Congress have stumbled over opposition from direct marketers, who say their activities would be unfairly limited.
Burns’ bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), would not impose any new restrictions on commercial e-mail.
Rather, it would strengthen the enforcement authority of the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general, allowing them to impose fines of as much as $30 per e-mail, with a cap of $1.5 million.
Spammers that hide their identities also would face criminal penalties, and Internet service providers would be able to sue to keep them off their networks.
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