Bill · S. 1651· Senate(119-S-1651)
Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 5/7/2025
- Last activity
- 5/7/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Markwayne Mullin
- Cosponsors
- - 4 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025 requires the FCC to expand the contribution base for the Universal Service Fund. It mandates that broadband providers and edge providers, such as streaming services and search engines, contribute to these mechanisms. Certain small or low-revenue providers are exempt from these payments. The bill also directs the FCC to create a new support mechanism for eligible telecommunications carriers in high-cost areas. The overall goal is to promote affordable and available broadband and reduce financial burdens on consumers.
Yes· 3 of 26
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+8
Specifically targets high-cost area support to expand availability.
Does this get reliable internet to more people?+8
Specifically designed to advance universal service and promote available broadband.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+7
Directly aims to reduce the financial burden on consumers for broadband.
The opposite
Would billionaires be better off under this?-3
Many owners of large edge providers will be required to pay into the fund.
Would business owners be better off under this?-2
Broadband providers and large edge providers face new financial obligations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Reduced Consumer Costs: The purpose of the act is to reduce the financial burden on consumers and promote affordable broadband (Section 2(e)(1)).
-
Support for High-Cost Areas: The bill requires the FCC to create a mechanism to provide support for expenses incurred by eligible telecommunications carriers providing services in high-cost areas (Section 2(c)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Financial Burden on Providers: The bill requires edge providers (such as app stores, social media platforms, and e-commerce platforms) and broadband providers to make contributions to the Universal Service Fund (Section 2(b)(2)(A)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+8Good For Low Income Households+7Good For Farmers+6Good For Native Americans+6Good For Students+6Good For Middle Class Households+5Good For African Americans+4Good For Asian Americans+4Good For Children+4Good For Hispanic Americans+4Good For Middle Aged+4Good For People With Disabilities+4Good For Retirees+4Good For Seniors+4Good For White Americans+4Good For Young Adults+4Good For Urban Residents+3Good For High Income Households+2Good For Billionaires-3Good For Business Owners-2
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+8Increases Big Tech Regulation+6
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+5Improves Economic Growth+3Improves Small Business Support+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+7
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- 6/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/7/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Kevin CramerRepublican · North Dakota
Josh HawleyRepublican · Missouri
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
James RischRepublican · Idaho