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Public Law119th CongressScience, Technology, Communications
S. 98Became Law

Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

This bill became law

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Law

What it doesSummary public law (May 11, 2026)

Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

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.

What just happenedMay 11, 2026

Became Public Law No: 119-89.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV](R-WV)Sponsor
4 cosponsors3 D1 R
Read on Congress.gov
4cosponsors1committees23actions3related bills
  1. May 11, 2026PresidentE40000

    Became Public Law No: 119-89.

  2. May 11, 2026BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 119-89.

  3. May 11, 2026PresidentE30000

    Signed by President.

  4. May 11, 2026BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Apr 30, 2026FloorE20000

    Presented to President.

  6. Apr 30, 2026President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Apr 20, 2026FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  8. Apr 20, 2026FloorH37300

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

  9. Apr 20, 2026Floor8000

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

  10. Apr 20, 2026FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 98.

  11. Apr 20, 2026FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2976-2978)

  12. Apr 20, 2026FloorH30300

    Mr. Allen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  13. Jul 3, 2025FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  14. Jul 3, 2025FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  15. Jun 27, 2025Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  16. Jun 26, 2025Floor

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

  17. Jun 26, 2025Floor17000

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

  18. Apr 28, 2025Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 48.

  19. Apr 28, 2025Committee

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

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  20. Apr 28, 2025Committee14000

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

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  21. Feb 5, 2025Committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  22. Jan 15, 2025IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  23. Jan 15, 2025IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Public LawMay 11, 202649

Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

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.

Introduced in SenateJan 15, 202500

Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a process to vet applicants for certain funding programs that support affordable broadband deployment in high-cost areas, including rural communities.

Specifically, the FCC must conduct a rulemaking to 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 applications for such funding to document each applicant’s technical, financial, and operational capabilities related to the proposed deployment, as well as 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. After the rulemaking 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.  

Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025 — Informed