Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025
Introduced Jan 15, 2025 by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito
Signed into law.
This act requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to vet the qualifications of applicants for certain funding programs that support affordable broadband deployment in high-cost areas (e.g., rural communities).
Specifically, the FCC must develop a vetting process for applicants seeking funding under high-cost universal service programs for the deployment of a broadband-capable network and the provision of supported services over the network. The FCC must require applicants to submit a proposal that contains sufficient detail and documentation for the FCC to ascertain that the applicant possesses the technical, financial, and operational capabilities related to the proposed deployment and has a reasonable business plan. The FCC must evaluate applications against reasonable and well-established standards and must consider each applicant’s history of compliance with the requirements of other government broadband funding programs.
The FCC must establish this vetting process through a rulemaking proceeding. After the rule is finalized, funds may only be awarded to applicants that satisfy the standards established therein.
Finally, the FCC must set financial penalties for applicants that default in some manner during the evaluation process before they are authorized to begin receiving support.
Summary by the Congressional Research Service.
No recorded roll-call vote on this bill — it may have passed by voice vote or unanimous consent, which don't record individual votes.
- May 11, 2026Became Public Law No: 119-89.
- May 11, 2026Signed by President.
- Apr 30, 2026Presented to President.
- Apr 20, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Apr 20, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2977)
- Apr 20, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2977)
- Apr 20, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 98.
- Apr 20, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2976-2978)
- Apr 20, 2026Mr. Allen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- Jul 3, 2025Held at the desk.
- Jul 3, 2025Received in the House.
- Jun 27, 2025Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Jun 26, 2025Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S3570; text: CR S3570)
- Jun 26, 2025Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
- Apr 28, 2025Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 48.
- Apr 28, 2025Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-14.
- Feb 5, 2025Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- Jan 15, 2025Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Jan 15, 2025Introduced in Senate