S. 98

119th Congress

Enacted

Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

Sponsored byRepublican:Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]WV· Introduced 15 January 2025
Open on Congress.gov

4

Cosponsors

23

Actions

0

Amendments

1

Committees

—

Since introduced

Introduced
Committee
Passed Chamber
Passed Both
Enacted
Step 4 of 0
Latest action

Became Public Law No: 119-89.

11 May 2026·2 months ago

Summary

Public Law · Updated 22 June 2026

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.

Timeline

23 actions

  1. Signed by President.

    11 May 2026 · President

  2. Signed by President.

    11 May 2026 · BecameLaw

  3. Signed by President.

    11 May 2026 · BecameLaw

  4. Signed by President.

    11 May 2026 · President

  5. Presented to President.

    30 April 2026 · President

  6. Presented to President.

    30 April 2026 · Floor

  7. Presented to President.

    30 April 2026 · Floor

  8. Presented to President.

    30 April 2026 · Floor

  9. Presented to President.

    30 April 2026 · President

  10. Presented to President.

    30 April 2026 · President

  11. Mr. Allen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

    20 April 2026 · Floor

  12. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    20 April 2026 · Floor

  13. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2977)

    20 April 2026 · Floor

  14. Mr. Allen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

    20 April 2026 · Floor

  15. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2976-2978)

    20 April 2026 · Floor

  16. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 98.

    20 April 2026 · Floor

  17. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2976-2978)

    20 April 2026 · Floor

  18. Mr. Allen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

    20 April 2026 · Floor

  19. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2976-2978)

    20 April 2026 · Floor

  20. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2977)

    20 April 2026 · Floor

3 earlier actionsView all on Congress.gov

Sponsorship

4 cosponsors

Sponsor

Republican:Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]WV

Cosponsors

  • Democrat375%
  • Republican125%

Classification

Policy area

Science, Technology, Communications

Legislative subjects

Internet, web applications, social mediaRural conditions and developmentTelephone and wireless communication

Committees

1

  • Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

    Senate · Standing

    • Referred To15 Jan 2025
    • Markup By5 Feb 2025
    • Reported By28 Apr 2025

Reports

Cosponsor momentum

Cumulative over time

Cosponsors grew from 2 on 15 January 2025 to 4 on 16 December 2025.

Market relevance

AI-inferred

Sectors

↑ Telecommunications

Tickers

↑ FYBR↑ LUMN

The bill directly impacts telecommunications companies involved in rural broadband deployment by establishing new, more stringent vetting processes and financial penalties for applicants seeking federal funding under high-cost universal service programs. Companies like Frontier Communications (FYBR) and Lumen Technologies (LUMN) have significant rural footprints and historically participate in such government-funded broadband expansion initiatives. The new requirements will directly affect their ability to secure and manage these funds.

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