Republicans block Democratic effort to subpoena FCC's Brendan Carr over Jimmy Kimmel

Source: The Hill

09/18/25 4:36 PM ET


House Republicans on Thursday blocked Rep. Ro Khanna’s (D-Calif.) efforts to subpoena Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr to appear before the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. In a 24-21 vote along party lines, Khanna’s measure was struck down. However, Rep. Robert Garcia (Calif.), the top Democrat on the committee, said he plans to work alongside committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) to ensure Carr appears for testimony.

Democrats on Thursday were expressing fury over Carr’s pressure campaign against late night host Jimmy Kimmel, who was suspended indefinitely Wednesday by ABC over remarks he made about the man suspected in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

ABC suspended Kimmel shortly after Carr during a podcast interview suggested ABC affiliate licenses could be revoked if Kimmel was not punished. Khanna described the FCC chair’s actions as the “largest assault on the First Amendment and free speech in modern history.”

“They’re making comedy illegal. Brendan Carr pressured ABC to cancel Jimmy Kimmel and Disney cancels Jimmy Kimmel,” Khanna told lawmakers. He also faulted the Trump administration for lecturing the nation about cancel culture, and then pushing for and celebrating Kimmel’s suspension.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5511069-fcc-chair-pressure-abc-kimmel/