Tom DeLay helped create TV ownership cap—he says Trump FCC has no authority to repeal it

In a stunning turn of events, former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay has come out swinging against the Trump administration’s efforts to repeal a longstanding TV ownership cap. The regulation, which was enacted during DeLay’s tenure, prohibits any single company from owning television stations that reach more than 39% of the national audience. DeLay, a key architect of the cap, is now arguing that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under President Trump has overstepped its authority in attempting to roll back the rule. According to DeLay, the FCC’s move is not only ill-advised but also lacks the necessary legal basis to justify such a drastic change.

DeLay’s opposition to the FCC’s plan is significant, given his history as a champion of deregulation and free market principles. However, in this case, he appears to be motivated by a desire to protect the integrity of the media landscape and prevent excessive consolidation. The former congressman has expressed concern that repealing the ownership cap would lead to a decline in local programming and a homogenization of viewpoints, ultimately harming the public interest. DeLay’s stance has been met with surprise by some of his former colleagues, who view his defense of the regulation as a departure from his typically conservative views on economic policy.

The FCC’s proposal to repeal the TV ownership cap has sparked a fierce debate, with proponents arguing that it would allow companies to better compete in a rapidly evolving media environment. However, critics like DeLay contend that the move would only serve to further concentrate ownership and undermine the diversity of voices in the media. As the FCC continues to weigh its options, DeLay’s intervention has added a new layer of complexity to the discussion, highlighting the need for a more nuanced approach to media regulation. With the fate of the ownership cap hanging in the balance, all eyes will be on the FCC as it navigates this contentious issue and determines the future of the US media landscape.