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National Republican Congressional Committee and National Republican Senatorial Committee seek Supreme Court stay on broadcast ad rates

The National Republican Congressional Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee filed an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court to halt a federal appeals court ruling regarding television advertising rates. The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that political parties are not entitled to the same discounted rates mandated by federal law for individual candidates. Republicans argued that the ruling creates uncertainty during the election season and that broadcasters have already begun rescinding the lower rates for parties. The Trump administration joined the request, with Solicitor General D. John Sauer arguing that the FCC's guidance does not favor one side over the other. The administration's brief noted that the interpretation offers the same benefit to all sides, including the Democratic challengers. Democratic candidates, including Kristen McDonald Rivet, Sherrod Brown, Jon Ossoff, and Roy Cooper, sued to limit the rates because they generally raise more money directly than their committees. Republicans, who have a larger cash advantage in their committees, benefit more from the lower rates. The Supreme Court is expected to review the emergency appeal soon.

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