Lawmakers from both parties signaled deep skepticism Tuesday toward a proposed merger between Nexstar Media Group and Tegna, warning that the deal could concentrate unprecedented power over local TV news even as supporters argue broadcasters need scale to survive in a digital marketplace dominated by Big Tech.

At a heated Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing, senators pressed a panel of media executives and policy experts, including Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy, National Association of Broadcasters President Curtis LeGeyt, former Federal Communications Committee general counsel Thomas Johnson, and Report for America co-founder Steve Waldman, on whether the merger would hollow out local journalism rather than save it.