Transparency in Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act
Floor Speech
Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 3950, the TICKET Act. I want to start by applauding Chair Bilirakis and Ranking Member Schakowsky of the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee for all of their hard work in producing a bipartisan ticketing bill with strong protections for consumers.
Mr. Speaker, I also commend my friend and colleague from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell) for his tireless efforts and leadership to improve the ticketing experience for consumers. This is something that has been very important in our State of New Jersey.
For years, Representative Pascrell has fought to ensure that those who want to enjoy their favorite sports team or see their favorite artists can do so without breaking the bank. Representative Pascrell has been a staunch advocate to ensure fairness and transparency in the ticketing marketplace, and I am proud to have partnered with him in his efforts.
Those efforts are directly reflected in the bipartisan bill we have before us today. H.R. 3950, the TICKET Act, incorporates many of the proposals that Representative Pascrell and I have called for over the last several years.
This bill mandates all-in pricing disclosure, bans speculative ticketing, requires refunds for cancellations or postponements, and prohibits deceptively named ticketing websites. That means consumers won't be hit with additional fees when they go to checkout. They will also know that the ticket they are purchasing is from a reputable website and in the seller's actual possession.
I am pleased we were able to come to a strong bipartisan consensus so that we can help consumers who just want to go to see their favorite artists perform.
While I believe there is still more that can be done to address anticonsumer practices in the ticketing space, this bill goes a long way in improving the ticket buying and event experience for all fans.
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Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).
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Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).
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Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I will close by just saying this is a piece of legislation that many of us have been working on for some time, so we are pleased to see that it is finally seeing the light of day. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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