Court blocks Trump FCC order that could flood broadcast TV with more election ads
Summary
A federal court stopped an order from President Donald Trump’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that would have allowed political parties and joint fundraising groups to buy cheaper TV ads during the election. The court ruled that only individual candidates, not parties or committees, can receive these lowest advertising rates under US law.Key Facts
- President Trump’s FCC ordered TV broadcasters to give the lowest ad rates to political parties and joint fundraising committees.
- Four Democratic candidates challenged the order, saying only candidates should get these discounts.
- The US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit blocked the FCC order by a 2-1 vote.
- The lowest unit charge (LUC) law applies only to legally qualified individual candidates, not political parties or fundraising committees.
- The court’s ruling sided with the Democrats and rejected the FCC’s broader interpretation.
- Republican party committees had supported the FCC’s rule in court.
- The case came amid recent Supreme Court limits being lifted on party spending with their candidates.
- The ruling was written by a judge appointed by President Clinton, joined by a judge appointed by President Obama; one judge appointed by President Reagan dissented.
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