House GOP seeks to block FCC on political ads

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republicans controlling the House are trying to block a new Federal Communications Commission rule requiring TV stations to disclose online information about political ad buys by candidates, political parties and outside groups.

The FCC adopted the rule in April over protests from the nation's broadcasters. They especially objected to having advertising rates disclosed online.

The information is already publicly available, but only if one visits a station in person to examine the political file.

The effort to block the FCC rule comes on a bill funding the agency's budget.

Democrats opposed the move, calling it an attempt by Republicans to shield large, GOP-leaning political groups from having to reveal information about their ad buys and tactics. They lost a party-line vote to strip the measure from the underlying bill.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)