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S. 98: Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

119th Congress · introduced 2025-01-15 · Science, Technology, Communications · Latest: Became Public Law No: 119-89.

federal

What does this mean?

Official title

Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

Plain summary

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.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

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A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

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PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV] · 4 cosponsors

Money: CBO cost estimate: S. 98, Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025 (2025-03-10) No linked contracts or vendors yet.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong119-s98 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong119 · updated 2026-11-03 by psicol fed-bills