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Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
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S. 98Became law
Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025
Introduced: Jan 15, 2025
Latest action date: May 11, 2026
Latest development
Became Public Law No: 119-89.
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67% approve
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- Congress
- 119th Congress
- Introduced
- Jan 15, 2025
- Recorded roll calls
- 0
Status detail: Congress.gov records that the measure became law.
Plain-language overview
What this bill does
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.
Official summary from Congress.gov.
Civixly topics
What this legislation is about
Civixly topics make federal and state legislation comparable. They are derived from the official CRS policy area and legislative subjects.
Official CRS policy area
Science, Technology, Communications
View 3 official legislative subjects
Internet, web applications, social mediaRural conditions and developmentTelephone and wireless communication
Committee activity
Committees and subcommittees that received, reviewed, marked up, or reported this legislation.
Official committee record ↗
Amendments
Proposed changes to this measure, with their latest official outcome or action from Congress.gov.
No amendments are listed for this measure.
Checked against Congress.gov Sep 29, 2026.
Action timeline
Newest action first. Action language comes from the official Congress.gov record.
View full action timeline23 actions
Became Public Law No: 119-89.
PresidentLibrary of CongressBecame Public Law No: 119-89.
BecameLawLibrary of CongressSigned by President.
PresidentLibrary of CongressSigned by President.
BecameLawLibrary of CongressPresented to President.
FloorHouse floor actionsPresented to President.
PresidentLibrary of CongressMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
FloorHouse floor actionsOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2977)
FloorHouse floor actionsPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2977)
FloorLibrary of CongressDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 98.
FloorHouse floor actionsConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2976-2978)
FloorHouse floor actionsMr. Allen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
FloorHouse floor actionsHeld at the desk.
FloorHouse floor actionsReceived in the House.
FloorHouse floor actionsMessage on Senate action sent to the House.
FloorSenatePassed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S3570; text: CR S3570)
FloorSenatePassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
FloorLibrary of CongressPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 48.
CalendarsSenateCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-14.
CommitteeSenateCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-14.
CommitteeLibrary of CongressCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
CommitteeSenateIntroduced in Senate
IntroReferralLibrary of CongressRead twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
IntroReferralSenate
Roll-call votes
Recorded House and Senate votes connected to this bill. Your representatives appear first when available.
No connected roll-call votes are currently available for this bill.
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