The National Republican Senatorial Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee seek Supreme Court intervention for lower broadcast TV ad prices.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee are seeking a mandate from the Supreme Court to require broadcast TV stations to offer lower advertisement prices to political parties and joint fundraising committees. Currently, US law requires broadcasters to provide the "lowest unit charge" to individual candidates during the 60 days before an election. The administration announced that the Federal Communications Commission would also extend these discounts to parties and committees, which typically face fewer spending limits. While a judges' panel at the US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit recently ruled that the FCC order cannot be enforced because it contradicts the plain language of the law, the Republican committees are pushing for a swift resolution. They argue that the FCC's interpretation of the law allows for ad time purchased on behalf of a candidate by a party or committee to be considered "use by" a candidate. The committees are seeking an emergency stay to overturn the 4th Circuit ruling before the September 4 discount period begins, providing certainty for campaigns currently negotiating contracts with broadcasters.