Supreme Court Keeps FCC Rules

The Supreme CourtSupreme Court of the United Stateshighest court of jurisdiction in the United States of America paused a Fourth CircuitCourt of Appeals for the Fourth Circuitcurrent United States federal appellate court order requiring the FCCFederal Communications Commissionindependent U.S. government agency to decide quickly on discounted political broadcast rates. The Oct. 14 pause leaves the FCC without a court-imposed deadline. It also keeps the agency’s March guidance in effect for the 2026 midterms. Federal law gives legally qualified candidates the lowest broadcast ad rates before elections. In March, the FCC’s Media Bureau extended those discounts to parties and joint fundraising committees buying coordinated candidate ads. Four Democratic candidates challenged that reading, saying the law covers candidates only. The administration and Republican committees said the FCC should finish its own review on its own schedule. The review remains unresolved.