Senate Commerce Committee Leadership Questions Chairman Carr Over Approval of Nexstar-Tegna Merger

So that we may better understand the Federal Communications Commission’s actions regarding the Nexstar-Tegna transaction, please provide written responses to the following questions no later than April 13, 2026:

1. At the Commerce Committee’s February hearing reviewing the Commission’s media ownership rules in light of this proposed transaction, Chairman Cruz (R-TX) reiterated that “a full Commission vote is required for certain matters, particularly those involving significant legal or policy consequences. Designating a multi-billion-dollar transaction such as the Standard General Tegna transaction for an ALJ hearing is precisely the type of serious decision for which commissioners must take responsibility.” Given the scope of the transaction, the novel legal issues involved, and the waivers required, why was the transaction resolved by delegated authority rather than by the full Commission? Please identify and describe the precedents you used to authorize the use of bureau-level delegated authority to approve the Nexstar-Tegna transaction, including any precedents addressing the waiver of the 39% national audience reach cap and the local duopoly waivers.
2. You recently characterized the Nexstar-Tegna approval order as an “initial [staff] decision,” with the possibility of a full Commission vote following an application for review. Please clarify the process and expected timing for full Commission consideration. Further, what role would a Commission vote serve at this stage, given that the transaction has already been approved on delegated authority, and how would such a vote ensure meaningful Commission-level deliberation on a transaction of this magnitude?
3. In your dissent to the Biden FCC’s approval of the Audacy transaction, you stated that “[i]t is hornbook law that staff-level decisions (whether they complied with federal law or not) do not set precedent for the Commission.” Did this consideration factor into your decision to delegate review of the Nexstar-Tegna transaction to the Media Bureau?
4. Given the size and complexity of the legal issues surrounding the waivers granted in the Nexstar-Tegna order, what limiting principle will govern the use of delegated authority in transactions going forward?