Bills · 119th Congress · Science, Technology, Communications

Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

Passed by voice vote or unanimous consent — no individual positions were recorded.

Official summary (CRS)

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.

Full text on congress.gov ↗

Sponsor
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito ( Republican · WV)

Cosponsors
4

Introduced
1/15/25

Policy area
Science, Technology, Communications

Status

1/15/25Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

1/15/25Introduced in Senate

2/5/25Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

4/28/25Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 48.

4/28/25Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-14.

6/26/25Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S3570; text: CR S3570)

6/26/25Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.

6/27/25Message on Senate action sent to the House.

7/3/25Held at the desk.

7/3/25Received in the House.

4/20/26Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

4/20/26On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2977)

4/20/26Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2977)

4/20/26DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 98.

4/20/26Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2976-2978)

4/20/26Mr. Allen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

4/30/26Presented to President.

5/11/26Became Public Law No: 119-89.

5/11/26Signed by President.