Committee on Appropriations Subcommillee on Homeland Security Subcomminec on Labor. Health and Human Services and Education DcmlKratic Senior Whip Congressional Hispanic Caucus Healthcare Tasl- Force Chair LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD 40TH DISTRICT. CALIFORNIA The Honorable Tom Wheeler Chairman February 17, 2016 Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street SW Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Wheeler: WASHJ:-JGTON. DC OFFICE. 2310 Rayburn Hou\e Office Building Wa,hington. DC :?0515-0540 Telephone. (202) :?:?5- 1766 Fax: (202) 2:?6-0350 DISTRICT OFFICE: 500 Cl!mld Dnve. Suite 320 Commerce. CA 90040 1572 Tekphone: I 323) 721-879() Fax· (3:?3> 721-8789 hllp://ro}bal-allnnl.l10u,e.g.11v I am writing in regard to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking aimed at creating a competitive retail market for set-top boxes and at reducing fees for the average American household. It is of great importance to me that my constituents and consumers across the country have choice in the marketplace and opportunities to save money on their bills. As such, I commend you for your proposal's focus on the customer. While I support the empowerment of the consumer, I also want to highlight concerns that have been brought to my attention, including issues surrounding diversity programming and privacy. Latino programmers have expressed a concern that Latino inclusion in programming will be diminished if the carefully negotiated license agreements that set the terms of show distribution, advertisement, and channel placement are not upheld, but are unbundled. Your proposal's fact sheet states that, "the proposal does not change a company's ability to package and price its programming to subscribers" and that you expect that the proposal will "lead to more and better programming accessed more easily, especially minority, independent, and international programming." I believe that Latino inclusion in programming is essential to the advancement of the Latino community as a whole and I encourage you to continue lifting up independent and minority content as the rulemaking process moves forward. I also understand that existing TV providers and potential set-top box manufacturers would be governed by different regulations regarding the use and collection of consumer data. It is extremely important that the proposed framework protects consumer's privacy, clearly outlines how consumers' data will be protected, and what recourse consumers have if their data is improperly used. 1{<'1''"'"111111 • lkl l H II (i.udl.'1' I 11 re ( 111 ah\. I>o" 1 ) East I '" \ngdc,. llrnc rtl<'