A bill to require the Federal Communications Commission to establish a vetting process for prospective applicants for high-cost universal service program funding.
Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a process to vet applicants for certain funding programs that support affordable broadband deployment in high-cost areas, including rural communities.
Specifically, the FCC must conduct a rulemaking to 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 applications for such funding to document each applicant’s technical, financial, and operational capabilities related to the proposed deployment, as well as 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. After the rulemaking 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.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, the Budget, the Judiciary, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-14.
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.
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)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Held at the desk.
Mr. Allen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
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Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2976-2978)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 98.
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)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.