Washington — A U.S. congressional subcommittee unanimously approved a bill Wednesday that would require senders of Internet junk mail to honour consumer requests to be left off their mailing lists.

The bill seeks to place limits on "spam," or unsolicited commercial e-mail messages that are often sent out by the millions. Internet users and access providers complain that spam clogs networks and inboxes with unwanted offers for everything from credit cards to pornography to pyramid schemes.

The Unsolicited Commercial Electronic Mail Act of 2001, introduced by New Mexico Republican Rep. Heather Wilson and Texas Democratic Rep. Gene Green, would give Internet users the right to remove their names from the e-mail lists of marketing companies. Spammers would be required to notify all recipients of this right and include a valid return e-mail address in their messages.

Companies that failed to comply with such requests would face action from the federal government and suits from Internet service providers for $500 (U.S.) for each violation, up to $50,000.

The House of Representatives telecommunications subcommittee unanimously approved an amended version of the bill on a voice vote. A spokeswoman for Rep. Green said the amendment did not significantly modify the original legislation.

The bill now moves to the full Energy and Commerce committee. Committee chair Billy Tauzin issued a statement welcoming its passage.

"I know there will be tweaks and tucks as this continues to move forward but this amendment provides an excellent base and is good policy," he said. Mr. Tauzin co-sponsored the bill when it was introduced in February.

An insurance industry group said the bill holds online transactions to a higher standard than that which exists for mail and fax communications, and the penalties established by the bill are too harsh.

The bill "would hamstring the development of e-commerce while fostering development of e-litigation," John Savercool, head lobbyist for the American Insurance Association, said.

Congressional lawmakers have introduced anti-spam legislation every year since 1998, but no bill has been passed.