GOP Congressmen Urge FCC to Keep TV Ownership Cap

Over 40 Republican lawmakers warn lifting the cap would trigger massive consolidation and undermine local news coverage

Feb. 9, 2026 at 10:07pm

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A group of over 40 Republican members of Congress have sent a strongly worded letter to the Federal Communications Commission urging them not to lift the national television ownership cap. The lawmakers warn that removing the cap would lead to massive consolidation in the broadcast industry, undermine local news coverage, and raise costs for consumers.

Why it matters

The national TV ownership cap, first instituted during the Reagan administration and later codified by Congress, is meant to protect local market television and news from being overly consolidated by major networks. Lifting the cap is seen as benefiting large station groups like Nexstar, which is seeking to acquire Tegna in a $6.4 billion deal that would create the largest TV station group in the U.S.

The details

The letter, led by Rep. Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania, reminds the FCC that Congress set the 39% cap and only Congress has the authority to change it. The lawmakers argue that lifting the cap would allow "massive consolidation" across the broadcast industry, giving large station groups greater ability to coordinate local news content. They also warn that increased consolidation could drive up retransmission fees paid by cable and satellite providers, costs that would be passed on to consumers.

  • The letter was sent to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr last week.
  • At least another six congressmen wrote directly to Carr, telling him they opposed any change to the cap.

The players

Rep. Dan Meuser

A Republican congressman from Pennsylvania who led the letter signed by over 40 of his colleagues urging the FCC to keep the national TV ownership cap.

Brendan Carr

The current chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.

Nexstar

A media company that is seeking to acquire Tegna in a $6.4 billion deal that would create the largest TV station group in the U.S.

Tegna

A media company that is the target of Nexstar's proposed $6.4 billion acquisition.

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What they’re saying

“We write to express our strong opposition to any FCC action that would lift or weaken the statutory 39 percent national broadcast television Ownership Cap.”

— Rep. Dan Meuser and 40 GOP colleagues, U.S. Representatives (Letter to FCC)

“Broadcast licenses are a public property and intended to serve local communities and the public interest.”

— GOP Congressmen (Letter to FCC)

What’s next

The FCC will need to decide whether to lift or maintain the national TV ownership cap, a decision that could have major implications for the proposed Nexstar-Tegna merger.

The takeaway

This congressional opposition to lifting the TV ownership cap highlights the broader debate over media consolidation and its impact on local news coverage and consumer costs. The lawmakers argue that protecting the cap is crucial for preserving localism, competition, and a diversity of voices in the broadcast industry.