Senator Luján, Senator Markey, Leader Schumer, Ranking Member Cantwell Lead Colleagues in Decrying FCC Censorship of Jimmy Kimmel

Washington, D.C. - Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today led seven of their colleagues in writing to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr urging the FCC to cease its censorship of media organizations. The senators sent the letter following comments from Carr on a right-wing podcast suggesting that the FCC would take action against ABC and its parent company, Disney, over a monologue this week by comedian Jimmy Kimmel on his late-night show. In addition to Senator Markey, Leader Schumer, Ranking Member Cantwell, and Senator Luján, the following senators signed onto the letter to Chairman Carr: Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Gary Peters (D-Mich.).

In the letter, the senators wrote, "We are outraged by your comments yesterday on a podcast suggesting that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would take action against ABC, its parent company Disney, and its affiliates, over comments made by comedian Jimmy Kimmel on his late-night show. It is not simply unacceptable for the FCC Chairman to threaten a media organization because he does not like the content of its programming-it violates the First Amendment that you claim to champion. The FCC's role in overseeing the public airwaves does not give it the power to act as a roving press censor, targeting broadcasters based on their political commentary. But under your leadership, the FCC is being weaponized to do precisely that."

The senators continued, "Under your leadership, the FCC appears to be discarding Congress's clear directive in the Communications Act to ensure broadcasters act in the 'public interest'-and is instead requiring them to act in 'Trump's interest.' This approach is an anathema to the Constitution. The consequences of your comments were quickly apparent. Hours later, Nexstar-a major owner of ABC affiliates that has a significant merger pending before the FCC-announced that it would take Kimmel off the air. Soon thereafter, Disney announced it was indefinitely suspending his show altogether. This is precisely what government censorship looks like.

The senators conclude, "We urge you to immediately stop threatening media organizations due to their programming and return to the FCC's mission of ensuring all Americans have access to affordable, efficient communication services."

The senators requested answers by September 25, 2025, to the following questions:

1. How is the FCC defining the "public interest" standard to which broadcasters must adhere? To the extent that the FCC has adopted some new ideological or political neutrality test, how is the FCC defining ideological or political bias?
2. Did you, your staff, or any FCC staff have any communication with Disney or ABC about Jimmy Kimmel, his Monday monologue, or his show between Monday, September 15 and today?
3. You publicly stated that ABC and Disney could "do this the easy way or the hard way." Please detail the "easy way" and the "hard way" you were referencing in making this statement.

Letter Text (PDF)