New Supreme Court ruling helps GOP buy cheaper TV ads for critical midterms

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court on Sept. 4 sided with the Republican Party in a dispute over radio and television advertising rates that could help the GOP maintain control of Congress in the November elections.

The justices cleared the way for political parties to get the same discounted rates that candidates enjoy based on the Trump administration’s interpretation of a federal law.

There was only one noted dissent, from Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

An appeals court had blocked the new policy from going into effect.

Republicans, who are trying to fend off a blue wave to protect their majorities in the House and Senate, are expected to benefit from the high court’s intervention because their political committees have raised considerably more money than have Democrats' party committees. That could help the GOP close resource gaps in key races where Democratic candidates have outraised Republicans.

The Supreme Court previously gave the GOP a boost in June when a majority struck down a 50-year-old rule capping how much parties can spend in coordination with candidates.

The latest decision allows parties to stretch those dollars farther when buying broadcast ads to help candidates.

In the run-up to an election, states are required by…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/travel/