Supreme Court Backs GOP Ad Rates

On Sept. 4, the Supreme Court granted an emergency stay preserving discounted broadcast advertising rates for political party committees and joint fundraising committees through the Nov. 3 midterm elections. The order pauses a 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that had invalidated March FCC guidance allowing party committees to buy ads at the same “lowest unit charge” federal law gives candidates. The NRSC and NRCC sought relief as the 60-day pre-election rate window began. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented; Democrats’ challenge remains pending before the FCC.