Growing Number of Senate Republicans Voice Concerns Over FCC Pressure on Disney

FCC pressure on Disney: On Sunday, Republican Senator Rand Paul said that threats made by Brendan Carr, the head of the Federal Communications Commission, against Disney (DIS.N), opens new tab, and local stations for showing “Jimmy Kimmel Live” were “absolutely inappropriate.”

Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk program was halted by Disney-owned television network ABC after Carr promised to launch investigations and take regulatory action against licensed stations who carried Kimmel. Dozens of local ABC-affiliated TV stations said they would no longer air the program.

Senator Rand Paul Slams FCC for Overreach, Vows to Fight Government Interference

On “Meet the Press” on NBC, Paul said that Carr had “no business weighing in on this.” People might be fired for saying offensive things, he added, but the government shouldn’t force businesses to do anything.
“There is no business for the government in it. Furthermore, the FCC was incorrect to weigh in. And if the government tries to interfere with free speech, I’ll fight it,” Paul said.

Ted Cruz, a Republican who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee, warned Friday that Carr’s threat to punish broadcasters or revoke their licenses due to the substance of their programming was risky.

Cruz said, “I got to say that’s right out of ‘Goodfellas’,” referring to the Martin Scorsese spy film. “That sounds like a Mafioso saying, ‘Nice bar you have here,’ as he walks into a pub. It would be unfortunate if anything were to happen to it.

Trump Backs FCC Chair Carr Despite Bipartisan Criticism Over Controversial Comments

Republican Senator Dave McCormick expressed his agreement with Cruz’s worries on X late on Friday. “Jimmy Kimmel and his repulsive words are to be forgotten. Additionally, Ted brings up significant issues with the FCC chairman’s remarks,” McCormick said. Congress’s Democratic leaders have sought public hearings, an inspector general’s inquiry, and Carr’s resignation.

Cruz, who chairs the Senate’s oversight committee on commerce, called Carr’s remarks “dangerous as hell.”
On Sunday, Carr did reply to a request for comment.
Carr was chosen by Trump, who has supported Carr’s remarks and applauded ABC’s decision to halt the program. Trump said on Fox News Channel’s “The Sunday Briefing” that “he hasn’t done anything that’s over the line.”