Bill · S. 98· Senate(119-S-98)
Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/15/2025
- Last activity
- 5/11/2026 — Became Public Law No: 119-89.
- Sponsored by
- Shelley Capito
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 3
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
What this bill would do
The Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025 directs the Federal Communications Commission to create a vetting process for those seeking high-cost universal service program funding. This process applies to new offers of funding for deploying broadband-capable networks and providing services. The Commission must start a rulemaking proceeding within 180 days of the Act's enactment. Under these rules, applicants must prove they have the technical, financial, and operational capabilities to deliver services. The Commission will evaluate these proposals against established standards and the applicant's history of compliance with government programs. Additionally, the rules must include penalties for pre-authorization defaults.
Yes· 3 of 8
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+5
The bill is specifically designed to ensure that broadband service providers in rural areas are capable of delivering promised services.
Does this get reliable internet to more people?+5
The bill strengthens the reliability of broadband deployment by ensuring only capable providers receive high-cost universal service funding.
Does this invest in rural communities?+4
The bill directly aims to protect and improve the deployment of broadband networks in rural areas through a more rigorous vetting process.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Ensuring Reliable Broadband Deployment: By requiring applicants to demonstrate they possess the technical, financial, and operational capabilities, as well as a reasonable business plan, the bill aims to ensure that those receiving funds can actually deliver the promised services (Section 2, paragraph 3, subparagraph B).
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Accountability through Evaluation: The Commission will evaluate proposals against well-established standards and the applicant's history of complying with other government broadband deployment funding programs, which helps ensure only capable entities receive funds (Section 2, paragraph 3, subparagraph C).
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Deterrence of Defaults: The mandate to set penalties for pre-authorization defaults of at least $9,000 per violation, or a certain percentage of total support, creates a financial consequence for those who fail to meet their obligations (Section 2, paragraph 3, subparagraph D).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Financial Penalties for Applicants: Applicants face a penalty of at least $9,000 per violation for pre-authorization defaults, with the base forfeiture potentially reaching up to 30 percent of the total support (Section 2, paragraph 3, subparagraph D).
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+5Good For Low Income Households+2
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+3Increases Job Creation+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+1
- Public Law(5/12/2026)
The text as it became law
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
- 5/11/2026
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-89.
- 4/30/2026
- Presented to President.
- 4/20/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2977)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2977)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 98.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2976-2978)
- Mr. Allen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 12/16/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/3/2025
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 6/27/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 6/26/2025
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S3570; text: CR S3570)
- 4/28/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-14.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 48.
- 3/11/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/5/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 1/15/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
John CurtisRepublican · Utah
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Gary PetersDemocrat · Michigan
Raphael WarnockDemocrat · Georgia