The Trump administration is moving ahead with plans to allow for more consolidation in local television, a move that got pushback from Senate Commerce Chairman Ted Cruz over the role of Congress in changing the television ownership cap.
Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr announced plans Wednesday to vote to repeal the national broadcast ownership cap, which limits what percentage of the market one ownership group can reach.
The move drew quick criticism from Cruz, R-Texas, who reiterated his stance that Congress would need to take up the issue.
“As I mentioned in February during our hearing on this matter, I am skeptical a change can be made absent an act of Congress. I look forward to reviewing the full order when it is released tomorrow to get more detail on the FCC’s precise approach,” he said in a statement.
The belief that the 39 percent cap of U.S. television households can’t be changed without an act of Congress is shared by many Democrats.
