The ranking members of the Senate Commerce Committee have questioned FCC Chair Brendan Carr over his approval of Nexstar Media Group Inc.'s merger with Tegna Inc. without a full commission vote. In a Monday letter, they criticized the expedited process that allowed the $740 million deal to move forward.

Senators raised concerns about the lack of transparency and proper oversight in the merger approval. The letter specifically challenged Carr's decision to bypass the standard commission review process, which typically involves a public vote and comment period. This unusual approval method has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers who oversee media consolidation policies.

The senators' intervention highlights growing tensions over media ownership concentration and regulatory oversight. The Nexstar-Tegna merger, which creates one of the largest local TV station operators in the US, has become a flashpoint for debate over whether current FCC procedures adequately protect public interest in media consolidation cases.