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Blog
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Welcome to the Holtzman Vogel Law Blog. We aim to keep you
up to date on important legal developments and other items of interest. On this
blog, we'll track developments in the news and changes to the rules and regulations
affecting political committees, corporate PACs, trade associations, non-profit groups
and advocacy organizations. We'll also keep you updated on the lobbying and ethics
arena. The Law Blog is designed to supplement our regular newsletter.
On behalf of the Holtzman Vogel team, I hope you find this site helpful and interesting.
And we hope you'll become a regular visitor. (If you'd like to receive our newsletter,
please click here to sign up.)
Jill Holtzman Vogel
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Friday, February 05, 2010
Press Release: Lofgren Bill Would Block Harassing Robocalls
According to this press release, "Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) introduced the bipartisan Robocall Privacy Act of 2010 with co-sponsors Melissa Bean (D-IL), John Campbell (R-CA), Bob Filner (D-CA), and Grace Napolitano (D-CA). The bill imposes criminal fines on entities that (1) make political robocalls between the hours of 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. or (2) make more than two political robocalls to the same number in the same day. These sanctions would not apply if a robocall includes the name of its sponsor at the beginning of the call, along with a telephone number for the sponsor of the robocall."
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Huffington Post: McCain Robocalls Prompt Ethics Complaint
From Huffington Post: "Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) broke Senate rules when he recorded a robocall touting his amendment to the health care bill, according to a complaint filed with the Senate Ethics Committee by watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. The National Republican Senatorial Committee paid for the call, which targeted the constituents of swing senators in five states and attacked the current health care reform bill for 'cutting $500 billion in vital Medicare coverage for our seniors.' The call urged constituents to sign a petition encouraging the senators to support McCain's amendment. In its complaint, CREW cites Senate Rule 38, which prohibits senators from using private donations to support official Senate activities. . . . NRSC spokesman Brian Walsh defended the call and referred to CREW as a 'left-wing front group' in a statement."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
CQ Politics: Robocall Exemption Has Activists Talking
From CQ Politics: "Political robocalls — automated phone messages from candidates or political organizations — are exempt from the national “do not call” registry that the Federal Trade Commission and Congress established six years ago (PL 108-10). The view of the agency and lawmakers was that such messages should enjoy broad free-speech protections. But that exemption hasn’t stopped a large number of states from imposing restrictions on such calls. Two states, Arkansas and Wyoming, have even banned them. . . . Now an Iowa-based conservative group, [American Future Fund Political Action], is trying to get the state laws overturned. On its behalf last month, the law firm Holtzman Vogel of Warrenton, Va., filed a request with the Federal Election Commission for an advisory opinion on whether federal election law supersedes state laws affecting elections, in the interest of national uniformity."
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, August 28, 2009
KRDO: Some Robocalls Will Be Banned
KRDO reports "A new law banning 'robocalling' will go into effect on Tuesday. The Federal Trade Commission is banning many of the pre-recorded calls to give consumers a break from what many consider an annoyance. Starting September 1st, telemarketers will first need written permission from the customer to make such calls. . . . Calls that are not trying to sell goods or services to consumers can still go through. For example, flight cancellations, delivery notices and debt collectors will be allowed to use pre-recorded messages to call you. Other calls not covered by the ban include those from charities, banks, insurers, phone companies, surveys, prescription notifications and those from politicians."
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Holtzman Vogel Contributes "Political Telemarketing" Supplement to Politics Magazine
Holtzman Vogel attorneys contributed this "political telemarketing" supplement to Politics magazine. The supplement includes a guide to each state's political telephoning rules.
Click here to read the entire post.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Bill To Ban Robocalls Introduced in North Carolina
The High Point Enteprise reports that Rep. Pricey Harrison introduced a bill that would include political robocalls in the state's do-not-call law.
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, February 27, 2009
CT Post: Blumenthal seeks ban on robo calls
From the Connecticut Post: "Attorney General Richard Blumenthal wants a total ban on the calls, while lawmakers are studying a bill that would require callers to identify their company and disconnect within 10 seconds of your hanging up."
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, February 23, 2009
CNN: DCCC targets 12 Republicans on stimulus
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Politico: NRCC blasts Dems in robocalls
Politico reports, "On Friday, the National Republican Congressional Committee is launching robocalls targeting 11 House Democrats who voted for the $787 billion stimulus package last week."
Click here to read the entire post.
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