WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced in the Senate their bipartisan TSA Reaching Across Nationalities, Societies, and Languages to Advance Traveler Education (TRANSLATE) Act, which will simplify air travel for non-English speakers, international travelers, and those with visual and/or hearing impairments, and support tourism to the U.S. Bipartisan companion legislation introduced by Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Van Taylor (R-TX) passed the House last month.
The TRANSLATE Act will require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop a plan to ensure signage and information at major airports can be better understood by more people. This includes providing materials in the most common languages at each major airport and creating a plan to improve materials for the visually and/or hearing impaired individuals. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 30% of Nevadans over the age of five years old speak a language other than English at home.
“As a proudly diverse state and a major hub for international travel, Nevada sees millions of non-English speakers come through our airports every year — and it’s time we update our TSA guidelines to make travel and security information more accessible for all of our residents and visitors,” said Senator Rosen. “With travel numbers rising, our major airports are only going to get busier and these new guidelines will help ensure more passengers have a stress-free flying experience.”
“Texas is home to some of the busiest airports in the world, and our facilities must be ready to serve everyone passing through or visiting the Lone Star State,” said Senator Cornyn. “This legislation would ensure that Texas airports are prepared to welcome travelers in a wider range of languages while increasing accessibility for those with additional hearing or vision needs.”
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