Oklahoma City Federal Building and Courthouse where U.S. District Judge Lee R. West ruled that the Federal Trade Commission overstepped its authority in creating a national 'do not call' list against telemarketers (AP)
Judge Knocks Down 'Do Not Call' Legislation Story aired: Friday, September 26, 2003
Officials in Washington are scrambling to react to the twists and turns in the "do not call" registry saga.
Yesterday, a second judge declared the program illegal and a violation of free speech, because it allowed calls from charities and non profits such as public radio stations but not most commercial enterprises. .The judge said the registry "entangled" the government in people's lives, deciding which calls the public would receive.
The first judge blocked the registry earlier this week on narrower grounds, sending Congress scrambling to pass legislation to allow the registry to launch next week.
The new ruling trumps the Congressional vote and the Federal Trade Commission is expected to appeal that ruling today.
