New Bill Would Impose Shot Clocks on FCC Merger Reviews

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2026 – Two Capitol Hill lawmakers want to put the Federal Communications Commission on the clock.

Reps. August Pfluger, R-Texas, and Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., introduced a bill Thursday to impose shot clocks on FCC merger reviews.

The bill, called the Keep it Moving Act, would codify the FCC’s informal 180-day deadline for merger reviews, which it has at times far exceeded. If the agency missed that deadline, with some exceptions, applicants would be able to get a court to compel the agency to approve their deal. The agency would have to ask the court for permission to deny at that point.