PRETEXTING BILL ON FAST TRACK IN SENATE

摘要

While little telecom legislation is expected from the lame duck session, one bill could get through. Senate Republicans are trying to push through a popular anti-pretexting bill (HR- 4709) that the House passed in April, using a 揾otline?procedure that started Mon. Each member's office gets a chance to green-light the bill; if no one objects, the bill goes on the calendar for a unanimous consent vote. Democrats are expected to hotline the bill today (Tues.) when they reconvene, Hill sources said. The bill enjoys bipartisan support; a turf battle between the Judiciary and Commerce committees in the Senate and House over which measure would be the primary vehicle has been resolved. HR-4709 has backing from Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). The bill would criminalize impersonation to get private phone records, under penalty of up to 5 years in prison, according to the latest version filed with the House. nnThe bill still could change, Hill sources said, but any alterations probably would be minor, since most members agree on the content. With no opposition, many feel the legislation would be worth getting done in lame-duck session rather than waiting for a new Congress, where revised priorities could delay passage, Hill and lobbyist sources said. No conference is needed to reconcile differences between the Senate and House versions, Senate Judiciary Committee sources said. HR- 4709 is nearly identical to S-2178, which passed the Judiciary Committee by voice vote. It has 37 co-sponsors.