Roberts pauses an order forcing the FCC to rule by Friday on Democrats' challenge to cheap party ad rates

Chief Justice John Roberts issued the administrative stay after DOJ and the GOP campaign committees filed emergency petitions; the rule helps Republicans, who lead in party-committee cash, while Democrats lead in candidate cash.

• Last month the Supreme Court voted 8-1 that the 4th Circuit had acted too early in this case.
• Democratic candidates must respond by 5 p.m. Saturday.
• Solicitor General D. John Sauer called the 4th Circuit order a "flagrant abuse" and an effort to get around an earlier Supreme Court stay.