New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez wants to repeal a part of the federal budget that he says would make it easier for phone scammers who pretend to represent the Internal Revenue Service.

Menendez has co-sponsored a bill that will continue to restrict government agencies or their third-party agents from calling people without their consent.

Menendez says not allowing agencies like the IRS to make the calls will reinforce to potential victims that any call from someone claiming to represent the agency is a scam.

"It blurs the line from what is legit and what is a complete and utter fraud," the senator says.

Menendez says it could take some time for a repeal to be passed and he's asking the IRS to hold off on making any phone calls.

The senator also says that the Treasury Department has received more than 700,000 reports of potential scam calls over the last few years. Callers usually demand money to pay phantom back-taxes under the threat of a lawsuit or jail.

According to New Jersey law enforcement officials, these scams can be traced back to overseas call centers that sell consumers' information to those making the fake debt threats.