A federal appeals court blocked a Trump administration FCC rule that would have allowed political parties and joint fundraising committees to receive the lowest broadcast TV ad rates during election seasons.
The decision came after four Democratic candidates sued, arguing that only individual candidates qualify for the "lowest unit charge" under US law. A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit ruled 2-1 to set aside the FCC order, which was set to take effect September 4—the start of the 60-day pre-election period when broadcasters must offer discounted rates to qualified candidates.
The ruling preserves the existing framework, limiting the lowest ad rates to individual candidates rather than expanding eligibility to parties or committees.
