washington top democrat u.s. house representatives wednesday urge federal communications commission cancel vote schedule thursday measure reverse 2016 rule limit number television station broadcasters buy house democratic leader nancy pelosi warn change could harmful consumers hit wallets access independent media voice cite press report possible acquisition sinclair broadcast group inc sbgi.o tribune media co station trco.n rule adopt 1985 station weak over-the-air signal could partially count broadcaster ownership cap last year fcc democratic president barack obama say rule outdated 2009 conversion digital broadcast eliminate differences station signal strength revoke september federal law limit company own station serve 39 percent u.s. television households dispute whether fcc authority amend ownership limit 2016 decision require company sell exist station could bar new acquisitions twenty-first century fox inc foxa.o september challenge fcc rule federal court fcc chairman ajit pai say march want repeal obama fcc decision launch comprehensive review national ownership cap late year letter pelosi representative frank pallone rank democrat house energy commerce committee urge pai drop plan could allow sinclair-tribune tie-up would bad news consumers tribune market two ways first consumers would lose independent voice media market second consumers could see cable bill go sinclair charge cable operators tribune retransmission consent write another democrat representative anna eshoo write pai ask drop plan say consolidation ensure few independent news outlets serve counter-balance mislead inaccurate information tribune spokesman pai decline comment reuters report march sinclair approach tribune discuss potential combination deal would hinge regulations relax pai broad fcc ownership review could launch new wave consolidation broadcast television industry analysts company say cbs corp cbs.n lobbyist john orlando urge fcc january reverse obama decision reinstate prior rule cite increase competition time essence provide broadcasters ownership breathe room desperately need compete video service say accord cbs fcc file industry freeze time three years .... since video competitors march unfettered ownership limit say refer online outlets cable company democrats urge fcc drop plan revise tv ownership rule