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A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the comments made by Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, threatening to penalize ABC and Disney for the political commentary of ABC late night host Jimmy Kimmel were dangerous and unconstitutional.

USA119th CongressSRES-407| Senate 
| Updated: 9/18/2025
Edward J. Markey

Edward J. Markey

Democratic Senator

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (1)
Ron Wyden (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This Senate resolution expresses strong condemnation of Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr for his recent comments threatening ABC and Disney. These threats were made in response to political commentary by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, which the Senate views as protected under the First Amendment . The resolution argues that Chairman Carr's actions constitute a dangerous and unconstitutional abuse of his regulatory power, undermining the independence of the press and chilling free expression in broadcasting. The Senate affirms the critical importance of the freedom of speech and the press, emphasizing that the FCC lacks authority to censor programming or punish broadcasters for editorial decisions. It calls upon Chairman Carr to immediately retract his threats and recommit himself to respecting the constitutional limitations of his office. The resolution highlights the coercive effect of his statements, which reportedly led to the preemption and suspension of Kimmel's programming, demonstrating a betrayal of his office's trust.
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Timeline
Sep 18, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Sep 18, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text: CR S6738: 1)
  • September 18, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • September 18, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text: CR S6738: 1)

Science, Technology, Communications

Congressional-executive branch relationsDigital mediaPolitical movements and philosophies

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the comments made by Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, threatening to penalize ABC and Disney for the political commentary of ABC late night host Jimmy Kimmel were dangerous and unconstitutional.

USA119th CongressSRES-407| Senate 
| Updated: 9/18/2025
This Senate resolution expresses strong condemnation of Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr for his recent comments threatening ABC and Disney. These threats were made in response to political commentary by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, which the Senate views as protected under the First Amendment . The resolution argues that Chairman Carr's actions constitute a dangerous and unconstitutional abuse of his regulatory power, undermining the independence of the press and chilling free expression in broadcasting. The Senate affirms the critical importance of the freedom of speech and the press, emphasizing that the FCC lacks authority to censor programming or punish broadcasters for editorial decisions. It calls upon Chairman Carr to immediately retract his threats and recommit himself to respecting the constitutional limitations of his office. The resolution highlights the coercive effect of his statements, which reportedly led to the preemption and suspension of Kimmel's programming, demonstrating a betrayal of his office's trust.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Sep 18, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Sep 18, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text: CR S6738: 1)
  • September 18, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • September 18, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text: CR S6738: 1)
Edward J. Markey

Edward J. Markey

Democratic Senator

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (1)
Ron Wyden (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional-executive branch relationsDigital mediaPolitical movements and philosophies