Supreme Court Restores Discounted TV Ad Rates for Parties as GOP Holds $130 Million Cash Edge
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 4
Supreme Court Restores Discounted TV Ad Rates for Parties as GOP Holds $130 Million Cash Edge
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 4
Summary
An unsigned Supreme Court order let political parties keep discounted TV ad rates when coordinating with candidates, pausing an August 4th Circuit ruling that had blocked the practice.
The majority said the appeals court lacked jurisdiction and that Republicans faced irreparable harm because broadcasters had already started rescinding the lower rates weeks before the midterms.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented alone, saying Republicans were not likely to prevail on their argument that the 4th Circuit lacked statutory jurisdiction.
The ruling could matter quickly: the RNC reported more than $130 million cash on hand at July's end, while the DNC had $16 million and $18 million in debt.
The fight grew out of the court's June decision allowing unlimited party spending in coordination with candidates, after which the FCC extended candidate-rate discounts to party ad buys.