House Approves TV Cap Reversal

The House of Representatives has approved reversing the FCC’s new TV audience cap by a vote of 400-21. The action comes despite the threat of a presidential veto.
In June, the FCC had passed a 45% cap. Previously, the cap was 35%; a bipartisan effort to roll back the cap helped pass this measure. NAB favored a 35% cap, but recently stopped lobbying for the bill, citing amendments it considered to be anti-broadcast.
The House approved the TV provision as part of a spending $37.9 billion bill funding the Commerce, Justice and State Departments next year, as well as the FCC.
House Republicans oppose the reversal and have said they would try to remove the language when the House bill is combined with a Senate version in conference committee.