WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 1999 -- Responding to a groundswell of consumer complaints, Rep. Matt Salmon, an Arizona Republican, has introduced legislation that would put tough new restrictions on telemarketers.

"People are tired of being solicited over and over again.  You can't get these people to stop calling," Tom Puglia, Salmon's press secretary, told ConsumerAffairs.Com.

Salmon's bill would ban all telemarketing calls between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. and would require that telemarketers inform consumers that they have a right to be placed on a "do-not-call" list.

It would also prohibit telemarketers from blocking Caller ID.

Sslmon, a conservative Republican and former telephone company executive, is not generally identified with consumer issues.  But Puglia said voters in Salmon's Phoenix-area district have made it clear it's a "hot issue" with them.

"Arizona has the second highest per-capita population of older people and they tend to be the targets of many of these telemarketers," Puglia said.

The bill is similar to measures that have been introduced in state legislatures around the country but would have more teeth because it would apply nationwide.

"It's clearly appropriate for federal legislation.  Telemarketing involves interstate commerce, which falls under Congress' jurisdiction," Puglia said.  He noted that the bill had bipartisan support.  Co-sponsors include Democrats James Oberstar (WI), Jay Inslee (WA) and Pete Stark (CA) and Republicans Jack Metcalf (WA) and Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ).

The bill (HR 3180) has been referred to the House Commerce Committee and will be taken up when Congress returns in January.

Consumers who want to comment can email Puglia at tom.puglia@mail.house.gov.   

Matt Salmon