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The Senate Commerce Committee Wednesday reported favorably a bill that would enhance the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) enforcement authority over violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and require voice service providers to authenticate and block illegal robocalls.

The Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act, S. 151, now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

Ahead of the markup, NAFCU Vice President of Legislative Affairs Brad Thaler stressed to the committee the importance of "protect[ing] credit unions' ability to freely communicate with their members on important issues related to their existing accounts." He also outlined additional changes credit unions would like to see in the bill related to the "intent" requirement for a TCPA violation, STIR/SHAKEN call authentication framework and correcting any unintended blocking by voice service providers.

NAFCU has actively worked with the FCC on efforts to modernize the TCPA for more than three years. The association has previously shared its concerns related to the definition of an autodialer and the need for clarity under the TCPA to ensure credit unions can contact their members without fear of breaking the law.