Markey and fellow senators demand that Carr rescind the order
Edward J. MarkeyU.S. senator, cosigning a joint letter with Maria Cantwell, Chuck Schumer and Ben Ray Lujan
Markey and the three cosigners call the order unconstitutional retaliation for protected speech.
“You should direct the FCC to immediately rescind the order calling in Disney’s ABC station licenses for early renewal.”
Official statement
Where this statement fits
Is the FCC's early review of ABC's broadcast licenses legitimate oversight or retaliation?
The FCC called eight ABC-owned television station licenses for early renewal in April 2026. Disney alleges retaliation for protected programming. The FCC and America First Legal defend the review as lawful oversight, while press-freedom groups and Anna Gomez oppose it. The lawsuit also disputes whether the district court can intervene before a final FCC decision.
Source and context
Official statement
About this source
The four senators urge Carr to rescind the early-renewal order, alleging retaliation for protected programming.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
The letter challenges the timing of the order after demands that Disney fire Jimmy Kimmel.
After the quotation
The senators request records and explanations for the FCC's decision.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The joint letter expressly opposes the early-renewal order and demands its reversal.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Brendan Carr, Federal Communications Commission
More from this case
Read the full caseGomez calls the license threat an extreme response
“Threatening license revocation is an extreme step, basically a death sentence over a speeding ticket.”Read statement
FIRE's coalition calls for the review to be halted
Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
“This Court must intervene to halt the Commission's retaliatory proceeding and continued abuse of executive power.”Read statement
Reporters Committee urges the court to stop the license review
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
“This Court should act with resolve - now - to bring an end to the Commission's abuse of its licensing authority against ABC.”Read statement
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Markey and fellow senators demand that Carr rescind the order
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/events/5183-markey-and-the-three-cosigners-call-the-order
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "Markey and fellow senators demand that Carr rescind the order". First published: 2026-10-07. Last updated: 2026-10-07. https://disputeindex.com/events/5183-markey-and-the-three-cosigners-call-the-order