Senator Markey Urges Chairman Cruz to Bring in FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to Testify

In light of Carr's refusal to answer basic oversight questions, Senator Markey calls for immediate Senate Commerce Committee hearing

Letter Text (PDF) | Carr Response to Markey (PDF)

Washington (September 29, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today wrote to Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) urging him to bring Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr before the Committee to testify about his censorship of late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel. On September 18, 2025, Senator Markey led Commerce Committee Democrats in a letter to Carr requesting information about his threats against ABC, Disney, and their affiliates over Kimmel's political commentary. In his response, Carr ignored Senator Markey's questions and whitewashed his own role in the incident. In light of Carr's refusal to answer important oversight questions, Senate Markey sent today's letter urging Chairman Cruz to hold a hearing with Carr as soon as possible.

In the letter, Senator Markey wrote, "Carr ignored all these questions. Instead, his letter reframed the matter as nothing more than independent decisions by ABC, Disney, and their affiliates, ignoring the reality that it was his own threats that appeared to trigger those decisions. Carr did not provide a single substantive response to our questions about the FCC's public interest standard, communications with Disney, ABC, and their affiliates, or the meaning of his "easy way or hard way" threat. This evasion is unacceptable. Carr cannot pretend to be a neutral bystander when his own public remarks - which you rightfully criticized - sparked censorship of protected speech. Nor can he defy Congress's oversight role by refusing to answer direct questions about his conduct."

He continued, "For these reasons, I urge you, as Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, to bring Carr before the Committee with out delay. No FCC Chairman should be permitted to weaponize the Commission against disfavored speech while stonewalling legitimate congressional inquiries."

Senator Markey has aggressively pushed back on the Trump administration's efforts to attack news organizations and intimidate the media.

• On September 18, Senator Markey, Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) led seven of their colleagues in writing to Chairman Carr urging the FCC to cease its censorship of media organizations. Senator Markey then went to the Senate floor to ask unanimous consent to pass a resolution condemning Chairman Carr for his censorship of Kimmel. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) objected without any explanation.
• In July, Senator Markey wrote to Paramount Global Chair Shari Redstone, demanding answers on the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," specifically requesting whether anyone in the Trump administration asked for the show to be cancelled.
• In May, as Paramount was reportedly pushing for the settlement to help facilitate approval of its merger, Senators Markey and Luján wrote to Chairman Carr requesting that the FCC hold a full Committee vote on the Paramount-Skydance merger. After Paramount announced its settlement with Trump, Senators Markey and Luján wrote to FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty, urging the FCC to hold a full Commission vote on the pending merger.
• In March, Senators Markey and Luján, along with Senator Rosen introduced the Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act, legislation that would prohibit the FCC from revoking broadcast licenses or taking action against broadcasters based on the viewpoints they broadcast.
• In February, Senators Markey and Luján, along with Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), wrote to Chairman Carr and then-Commissioner Nathan Simington regarding the FCC's recent, politically motivated actions against broadcasters and public media.

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