U.S. Chamber Commends House Passage of Junk Fax Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Chamber of Commerce today commended the House of Representatives for passing the Junk Fax Prevention Act, which will enable American businesses to continue communicating with their customers without added government red tape.

"This is a victory for all businesses," said Michael Zaneis, director of Congressional and Public Affairs for the Chamber. "The fax machine is especially important to small businesses that rely on it as an efficient and effective way of communicating with their existing customers and business partners."

The junk fax legislation, S. 714, reverses a decision by the FCC that would create a monumental and costly administrative burden on associations and businesses by requiring them to obtain the signed written consent of each recipient before any commercial fax may be sent. Currently, associations and businesses are free to send faxes to customers with whom they have existing business relationships. Unsolicited faxes and junk faxes will continue to be illegal under this bill.

Without this new legislation, the ability of associations and businesses to communicate with their customers would be severely impeded. According to a 2004 Chamber survey of its members, the FCC regulations would cost the average small business $5,000 during the first year and $3,000 each year thereafter.

"This bill is a good example of Congress preventing costly overregulation and bringing common sense back into the legislative process," said Zaneis.

The Chamber is urging President Bush to quickly sign the bill before the regulation takes effect on July 1.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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