Ad-rate showdown: Dems and Republicans clash with TV stations after court ruling

After a 4th Circuit ruling overturned the FCC’s discounted political-ad-rate policy for parties and super PACs, Democrats are pressuring local TV stations to avoid offering discounts to outside groups over campaign-finance concerns, while Republicans say stations can set discounts freely. Both sides threaten FEC complaints and a potential Supreme Court appeal, making ad spending in the 2026 midterms a high-stakes battleground for candidates, parties, and outside groups.