The sponsors of Thursday's third Democratic debate in Houston have warned 2020 presidential candidates to not use "foul language" on the air to stay within FCC decency rules, according to news reports Wednesday.
The Democratic National Committee and ABC News, which is hosting the debate at Texas Southern University, sent out an email reminding candidates that Federal Communications Commission regulations can bring fines to networks for excessive swearing on air.
The email was reportedly obtained by Axios and CNN.
"We will not be broadcasting on any delay, so there will be no opportunity to edit out foul language," the email said. "Candidates should, therefore, avoid cursing or expletives in accordance with federal law and FCC guidelines."
The hosts of the DNC's first debates, MSNBC in June and CNN the following month, were not subject to the same FCC guidelines because they are cable TV operations and did not send out similar reminders before their events, CNN reports.
Thursday's debate will only feature 10 candidates, as many did not meet higher DNC polling or fund-raising thresholds, and will take place on only one night.
One Democratic contender, former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke, is particularly known for using the F-bomb liberally.
He was slammed for his use in an attack ad during his 2018 Senate run in Texas — and employed the expletive in his concession speech to incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.
Earlier this month, O'Rourke also used the word while discussing gun violence after mass shootings in El Paso and Odessa, Texas.