Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged the FCC on October 19, 2026 to reject a petition by conservative group Club for Growth seeking to permit unsolicited AI-generated political robocalls to cellphones ahead of the November 3 midterms. Schumer argued the change would flood voters with deceptive deepfakes. While FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez warned the agency could act quickly, an FCC spokesperson stated there are zero plans to approve the petition.
Chuck Schumer's opposition to the petition
- ▪Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer filed a letter on October 19, 2026 urging the FCC to reject Club for Growth's petition to allow unsolicited AI political robocalls.
- ▪Chuck Schumer stated that relaxing robocall rules would allow special interests to flood cellphones with deepfakes, dark-money-funded AI voices, and disingenuous messages.
- ▪Chuck Schumer cited the 2024 New Hampshire primary robocall imitating President Joe Biden, which resulted in a proposed $6 million FCC fine against the responsible political consultant.
FCC response and timeline
- ▪An FCC spokesperson stated on October 19, 2026 that there are zero plans or interest within the agency to move forward with an order approving the petition.
- ▪Public comment on the FCC's public notice regarding the Club for Growth petition closed on October 19, 2026.
- ▪FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez stated on October 19, 2026 that the FCC could act on the petition at any time following the public comment period's close.
Club for Growth's petition details
- ▪Club for Growth proposed restricting political calls to cellphones to three calls per recipient within 30 days, alongside automated opt-outs and caller-specific do-not-call lists.
- ▪The conservative group Club for Growth filed an August 31 petition requesting the FCC waive rules prohibiting political artificial or prerecorded voice calls to cellphones without prior consent.
Club for Growth's arguments for the petition
- ▪Club for Growth President David McIntosh argued that current FCC rules restrict First Amendment-protected political speech and expose good-faith callers to lawsuits of $500 to $1,500 per call.
- ▪David McIntosh stated the FCC should treat political speech on cellphones with the same regulatory allowances as wireless calls regarding package deliveries, bank accounts, and medical appointments.
Club for Growth campaign plans
- ▪Club for Growth plans to spend $175 million in the November 3, 2026 midterm congressional elections.
- ▪Club for Growth and its affiliated political committees seek to use AI-powered calling tools to reach potential voters more efficiently, including in more languages.
State legal actions on robocalls
- ▪Louisiana, Tennessee, and Vermont enacted state laws in 2026 requiring formal disclosures for AI-generated campaign phone calls.
- ▪New Hampshire authorities brought criminal charges against the political consultant responsible for the 2024 robocall imitating President Joe Biden.
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