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March 17, 2024 - WASHINGTON – Last week, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released the following statement following the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) actions to address cable and satellite TV hidden fees. The new rules require cable and satellite TV providers to specify the “all-in” price clearly and prominently for video programming service in their promotional materials and on subscribers’ bills.
“The advertised price for a cable or satellite TV subscription should be the price you see on your bill. That’s why I’ve long called for eliminating predatory fees that unfairly hide the actual cost of goods and services like TV, event tickets, hotel rooms, and housing,” said Klobuchar. “This action will remove hidden fees on cable and satellite bills and bolster transparency from service providers. I will continue to build on this progress by pushing to eliminate hidden fees on other products.”
Senator Klobuchar is a leader in pushing for stronger consumer protections across our economy.
Last month, Klobuchar sent a letter to the Chairwoman of the FCC, Jessica Rosenworcel, to urge the FCC to finalize rules to prohibit early termination and billing cycle fees imposed on subscribers by cable operators and direct broadcast satellite service providers.
In February 2024, Klobuchar wrote in support of the Federal Trade Commission’s “Trade Regulation Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees.” The proposed rule would prohibit unfair or deceptive practices relating to fees for goods or services, specifically, misrepresenting the total costs of goods and services by omitting mandatory fees from advertised prices and misrepresenting the nature and purpose of fees.
In December 2023, Klobuchar worked with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) to introduce the bipartisan Fans First Act, which would help address flaws in the current live event ticketing system by increasing transparency in ticket sales, protecting consumers from fake or dramatically overpriced tickets, and holding bad actors who engage in illegal ticket sale practices accountable.
In July 2023, Klobuchar and Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), co-chairs of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus and members of the Senate Commerce Committee, introduced the bipartisan Hotel Fees Transparency Act. This legislation will improve transparency for consumers by requiring anyone advertising a hotel room or short-term rental to clearly show up front the final price a customer will pay to book lodging.
In February 2023, Klobuchar joined Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in introducing the Families Fly Together Act, legislation to prohibit airlines from imposing any monetary charges on families that want to sit together during a flight.
Source: Senator Amy Klobuchar
