WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), co-author of the Save Our Stages Act, released the following statement in response to President Biden’s meeting with private sector ticketing companies regarding surprise fees for ticket purchasers:

“Congress must address problems with our current ticketing system to protect fans’ rights, provide certainty for artists and venues, and ensure uniformity across the live entertainment and sports industry,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Federal legislation is the best course of action to fix the ticketing system while avoiding patchwork policies that vary from state to state, which would only lead to more confusion for fans, venues, and performers.”

Background:

The Save Our Stages Act, introduced by Sens. Cornyn and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) to provide Small Business Administration grants for independent live music venues, live performance arts organizations, or motion picture theatres affected by COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, was signed into law in 2020. These grants provided the critical financial support necessary to keep venues afloat, pay employees, and preserve a key economic sector for communities across America.

To address flaws in the current ticketing system, Sen. Cornyn is working on the FANS First Act, legislation that would increase transparency in ticket pricing, protect consumers from fake or dramatically overpriced tickets, and restore the integrity of the market for fans, artists, and venues.