Media Contact: 
Brooke Ericson, (202) 418-2300
Brooke.Ericson@fcc.gov
For immediate release
STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MICHAEL O’RIELLY 
ON D.C. CIRCUIT TCPA DECISION  
WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018. – Commissioner O’Rielly made the following 
statement in response to the D.C. Circuit’s unanimous decision reversing much of the 
Federal Communications Commission’s 2015 order regarding various aspects of the 
Telephone Consumer Protection Act.  At the time, Commissioner O’Rielly dissented 
on the item’s substance and approved a number of included exemptions, calling claims 
that the order protected Americans a farce and highlighting that, in its overreach, the 
order would penalize businesses and institutions acting in good faith to reach their 
customers using modern technologies.  
“I am heartened by the court’s unanimous decision, which seems to reaffirm the 
wording of the statute and rule of law.  This will not lead to more illegal robocalls but 
instead remove unnecessary and inappropriate liability concerns for legitimate 
companies trying to reach their customers who want to be called.  In effect, it rejects 
the former Commission’s misguided interpretation of the law, inappropriate expansion 
of scope, and irrational view of reassigned numbers.  While I disagree with the court’s 
decision on the revocation issue, I believe there is an opportunity here for further 
review in order to square it with the Second Circuit’s more appropriate approach.”
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Office of Commissioner Mike O’Rielly: (202) 418-2300
Twitter: @mikeofcc
www.fcc.gov/leadership/michael-orielly
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes 
official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).