WASHINGTON — Politicians have finally found an issue they all can agree on: Telemarketers calling at dinnertime are a scourge that must be repulsed.

Congress on Wednesday sent to President Bush two bills that would make permanent a program to protect consumers from unwanted phone calls from telemarketers. Its hallmark is the national “do not call” list.

“This initiative has proven to be one of the most popular laws in history,” said Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C. Extending the program was necessary “to avoid the wrath of millions of angry constituents.”

The Do Not Call Registry, initiated in 2003, has been widely acclaimed for allowing Americans to eat their suppers in peace. Some 150 million people have listed their phones on the registry, which prohibits calls from telemarketers.

“I remember times we just used to take our phones off the hook,” said Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pa., a leader on the issue, recalling pre-registry days.

“Consumers without exception hate the annoyance of intrusive telemarketer calls at dinnertime,” said Chris Murray, senior counsel for Consumers Union.

Mississippi Do Not Call Registry

National Do Not Call Registry