Supreme Court restores discounted political ad rates for party committees

The Supreme Court on Friday halted a lower-court ruling that had barred political party committees from receiving favorable broadcast advertising rates, restoring Federal Communications Commission guidance ahead of the November midterm elections.

The unsigned order said the 4th Circuit likely lacked jurisdiction to review the FCC guidance and found that Republican committees could be harmed by broadcasters withdrawing the lower rates. The ruling followed a divided 4th Circuit decision last month that called the guidance unlawful.

The National Republican Congressional Committee has reserved $10.8 million in television ads for 23 House races this month, according to the group and AdImpact. Four Democratic candidates had challenged the policy, arguing that federal law limits the discounted rates to legally qualified candidates and their campaign committees.

Read the full story at cbsnews.com.