Republican campaign groups – supported by the Trump administration – asked the Supreme Court on Monday to let them purchase television advertising at discounted rates, handing the nation’s highest court another emergency appeal that could influence the outcome of this year’s midterm elections.
The quick-turn appeal follows a series of high-profile decisions from the 6-3 conservative court that have largely benefited Republicans. A separate case dealing with President Donald Trump’s controversial executive order on mail ballots is also expected to rocket back to the justices in the coming days.
The latest case involves television advertising, often the most expensive part of a congressional campaign. Candidates benefit from a federal law that requires broadcasters to charge them deeply discounted ad rates. Earlier this year, the Federal Communications Commission said that political parties and other entities are also entitled to the lower rates.
The FCC decision was widely seen as benefiting the Republican Party, which generally tends to raise more money through the party committees. Democrats, by contrast, generally raise more money directly through their candidates.
The House and Senate Republican party committees told the Supreme Court on Monday that they had “budgeted tens of millions of dollars in ad buys under these rules.” But, because of the appeals court decision, “broadcast stations are already rescinding those rates.”
