A five-page unsigned order let political parties and joint fundraising committees keep favorable TV and radio ad rates by blocking a 4th Circuit directive that would have forced rapid FCC action before November.
The justices said the lower court violated separation of powers by ordering the FCC to decide the candidates’ petition within 48 hours, even though the agency must act on applications but controls its own timetable.
The court also found irreparable harm because the order would have forced the FCC to triage ongoing deliberations; Sotomayor and Jackson said they would have denied relief.
The dispute began after the FCC’s March notice extended candidate-rate discounts to parties and joint fundraising committees, a move challenged by four Democratic congressional candidates and opposed by Republican campaign committees.