Federal Communications Commission FCC 10-18 STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MICHAEL J. COPPS Re: Rules and Regulations Implementing the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, CG Docket No. 02-278. This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking kicks off another consumer-focused proceeding in which we expand our goal—taken up in 2003 when we implemented the Do-Not-Call registry and again in 2008 when we eliminated the expiration of the registry—of returning a measure of privacy and control to citizens, allowing each of us to choose limits on the telemarketing calls we receive. The Notice specifically addresses pre-recorded telemarketing calls. It tentatively concludes that harmonizing the Commission’s rules, adopted pursuant to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, with the Federal Trade Commission’s recently-amended Telemarketing Sales Rule, would reduce the potential for consumer and industry confusion. I am pleased to support the item and look forward to an expeditious conclusion to the entire proceeding as quickly as we can do it. I commend the Chairman and my colleagues for putting a priority on this consumer-friendly item, another step in building a strong record of proactive consumer protection here at the FCC. And gratitude also to the Bureau for its work in teeing this up for us.