The Senate Commerce Committee, chaired by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), is reportedly preparing to hold a hearing next month on the national TV ownership cap. The committee’s planned session follows the Federal Communications Commission’s July Public Notice seeking to update the policy record.
Opponents of the current cap argue that the FCC lacks authority to modify it, asserting only Congress can enact such changes. Broadcasters and pro-business groups have pushed for relaxing or eliminating the cap, claiming it hinders their competitiveness against digital media giants like YouTube for viewers and advertising revenue.
Newsmax founder and CEO Chris Ruddy, who recently “maxed out” in donations to Senator Cruz, is scheduled to testify before the committee. Ruddy has been a vocal advocate for cable news networks and opposes broadcasters’ attempts to lift the cap. The FCC’s July Public Notice was overseen by Chairman Brendan Carr—a Trump ally—who has led discussions on whether the national ownership cap should be revised.
Ruddy and other cable news giants have reportedly lobbied President Trump to oppose changes to the cap. Critics note that this effort may undermine conservative voices within broadcast media, with motivations allegedly tied more to market dominance than to a Reagan-era legacy they claim to uphold.
According to reports, Ruddy has directly approached President Trump on the matter, receiving backlash from conservative circles. Additionally, Senator Cruz recently disclosed to donors that President Trump had told him, “Fck you, Ted!” after Cruz publicly opposed his tariff policies and criticized Vice President J.D. Vance. Cruz previously described Ruddy as a close friend, stating in November, “Chris is a good friend, and I talk with him frequently.”
