DELANEY CHALLENGES FCC AUTHORITY ON TV OWNERSHIP CAP

DeLay's intervention marks a notable dispute within conservative circles over regulatory power. The 39% cap, enacted in 1996, limits how much of the national television market a single company can control. The FCC, under Trump administration leadership, has claimed authority to eliminate the rule. DeLay counters that because Congress established the ownership limit, only Congress can remove it—not the agency. The dispute hinges on administrative law principles governing what regulators can and cannot do. If DeLay's interpretation prevails, it would constrain the FCC's ability to unilaterally alter media ownership rules without legislative action. Media ownership consolidation has long divided policymakers. Supporters of higher caps argue they reflect modern market realities, while critics worry about reduced competition and viewpoint diversity. The outcome could reshape the television industry's structure.