Republican Panels Seek Supreme Court Relief on Discounted Ad Rates

Two Republican campaign committees have petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to keep alive a federal policy that would let them buy television and radio advertising at reduced rates, a benefit traditionally reserved for candidates. The move comes as the party prepares for the November midterm elections.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee filed an emergency request on Monday, asking the justices to pause a lower court ruling that blocked the Federal Communications Commission's "lowest unit charge" rule from applying to party committees.

That rule obliges broadcasters to offer discounted rates for political ads aired within 60 days of an election. The window opens this Friday. In March, the FCC clarified that party committees could qualify for these rates when coordinating ad buys with candidates.

The dispute gained urgency after the Supreme Court in June struck down federal limits on coordinated spending between parties and candidates. A Republican official said the combination of that ruling and access to cheaper airtime would allow the party's funds to stretch further.

Democratic challengers, including Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia, sued in June to stop the policy from covering party committees. In August, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with them, ruling that political parties are not entitled to the low-cost rate.

The Republican committees say they have already budgeted tens of millions of dollars for ads under the FCC policy, but broadcasters are now withdrawing those rates due to the appeals court decision.

Financial disclosures show the three major Republican committees held about $279 million in cash at the end of July, more than double the roughly $136 million held by their Democratic counterparts, who also carried nearly $18 million in debt.