Measure would close loophole and ensure voters know who pays for robo-calls

The House State Government Committee on Monday unanimously approved an election transparency bill sponsored by Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) that would ensure voters know who is sponsoring political robo-calls.

“If you’re pulled away from your family dinner to answer one of these robo-calls, you ought to at least be able to determine who’s sponsoring it,” Benninghoff said.  “My bill would promote transparency by ensuring voters know who is behind these calls.”

Under current law, when an individual or group airs a political television or radio commercial or publishes a print advertisement that directly targets a candidate, these forms of political communication must identify the sponsor.  The law currently does not specify whether or not robo-calls – or pre-recorded political phone messages – are subject to this requirement.  Benninghoff’s bill would close this loophole in the election law.

“Robo-calls should be subject to at least the same standards of transparency as other forms of campaign communication,” Benninghoff said.  “This shouldn’t be a safe harbor for political tricks and campaign shenanigans.”

The bill received unanimous bipartisan support from the House State Government Committee, of which Benninghoff is the Republican chairman.  The bill now heads to the full House for consideration.

Rep. Kerry Benninghoff
171st District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(814) 355-1300
(717) 783-1918

KerryBenninghoff.com

Contact:  Dan Massing

House Public Relations

(717) 772-9845

www.pahousegop.com