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Education and ScienceS. 98Comments

Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

Official title: A bill to require the Federal Communications Commission to establish a vetting process for prospective applicants for high-cost universal service program funding.

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Where the Bill Stands

  1. Introduced, done
  2. Committee, done
  3. Floor Vote, done
  4. Outcome, shown after you vote

What This Bill Does

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.

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Related Documents

Bill on Congress.govWeb Page ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Timeline

  1. Library of CongressSigned by President.
  2. Became Law
  3. House floor actionsPresented to President.
  4. House floor actionsMr. Allen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  5. House floor actionsReceived in the House.
  6. SenateMessage on Senate action sent to the House.
  7. Library of CongressPassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
  8. SenatePassed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S3570; text: CR S3570)
  9. Floor Vote
  10. SenateCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-14.
  11. SenateCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
  12. Library of CongressIntroduced in Senate
  13. SenateRead twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  14. Introduced
  15. Committee

Comments

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