Mike Levin: “the mangers' amendment included two amendments to S. 1618 which I authored and which I appreciate the managers of the…”

“the mangers' amendment included two amendments to S. 1618 which I authored and which I appreciate the managers of the bill accepting. I am joined in offering these amendments by cosponsors Senator Glenn and Senator Durbin. These amendments are the product of hearings held on slamming in the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), chaired by Senator Collins. Slamming, the practice of changing a consumer's long distance carrier without the consumer's knowledge and express consent, is the number one complaint received by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). And those FCC slamming complaints are on the rise--increasing almost 50% from 1995 through 1997. Slamming is also the number one complaint received by the Michigan Public Service Commission. And, Michigan has the unfortunate distinction of being in the top ten states, nationwide, for the number of consumers who have been slammed. A Louis Harris survey taken in September 1997 ranked Detroit and Grand Rapids among the hardest hit cities in the country. About 25% of telephone customers in Detroit and Grand Rapids have either had their telephone carrier switched without their permission or know someone who was illegally switched. Slamming leaves consumers feeling vulnerable and angry. Consumers have the right to use any long distance carrier they choose and to change carriers whenever they wish. But they want to be in control.”