PRESS RELEASE: Barragán, Matsui, Carter to FCC: Don’t Deny Millions of Non-English Speakers Access to Clear Internet Price and Service Information

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 3, 2025

Contact: [email protected]

Barragán, Matsui, Carter to FCC: Don't Deny Millions of Non-English Speakers Access to Clear Internet Price and Service Information

Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Doris Matsui (CA-07), and Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02) led a letter to demand that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr protect multilingual broadband consumer labels, a necessary tool to ensure working American families can choose the most affordable Internet services package for their household. The letter responds to the FCC's recent vote to seek comment on a proposal that would eliminate the requirement that internet service providers offer broadband labels in the same languages they use to market services.

Broadband consumer labels clearly communicate the internet speeds, costs, data limits, and fees at the time of purchase so that families can compare different internet plans and choose the most cost-effective one for them. Ensuring that these labels are provided in different languages means that the 68 million Americans across the country that speak a language other than English can access the same, essential information they need to make fair and informed decisions about their internet service.

"Internet access is a basic necessity of working American families across the country, regardless of the language they speak," said Rep. Barragán. "People use the internet throughout their daily lives, children use it to complete their schoolwork, professionals use it to find job opportunities, and families use it to find the most affordable health care services for them. But they can't do any of this without the help of the internet, which is why it is so important that Congress makes sure that the tens of millions of Americans who speak a language other than English are able to select the internet package that best works for their finances. A difference in language should not mean a difference in access to this crucial resource."

"Americans deserve to understand exactly what they're paying for when they sign up for broadband," said Congresswoman Matsui. "Eliminating multilingual labels doesn't just create confusion, it shuts millions of Americans out of the basic information they need to make informed choices and save money. Providers already market in multiple languages-giving consumers the same clarity in those languages is the bare minimum. The FCC should be expanding access to information, not creating new barriers."

"Every family in America deserves clear, accessible information about the internet service they rely on, no matter what language they speak. Internet providers already market and support customers in multiple languages, so there is absolutely no excuse for denying consumers the same clarity when it comes to the actual terms of their service. Stripping away these protections would leave Louisianians at a disadvantage. I'm proud to lead this effort to ensure every household can make informed, empowered decisions about the connectivity they depend on," said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02).

The letter asks the FCC to:

• Maintain the current multilingual broadband label requirement;
• Ensure providers follow the requirement; and
• Make sure all Americans, no matter what language they speak, can understand broadband services, compare plans, and make informed choices.

The letter was also signed by the following 28 Representatives: André Carson, Judy Chu, Yvette Clarke, Herbert Conaway, J. Correa, Dwight Evans, Lizzie Fletcher, Jesús García, Robert Garcia, Daniel Goldman, Robin Kelly, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Jennifer McClellan, LaMonica McIver, Robert Menendez, Grace Meng, Kevin Mullin, Jerrold Nadler, Eleanor Norton, Nellie Pou, Luz Rivas, Raul Ruiz, Darren Soto, Marilyn Strickland, Shri Thanedar, Paul Tonko, Marc Veasey, and Bonnie Watson Coleman.

The full text of the letter can be found HERE.

###