Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

Summary

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.

Summary from the Congressional Research Service. How we handle summaries

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

House Committee on Energy and Commerce · U.S. House of Representatives

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Cosponsors

Related bills

• S. 98Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025Identical bill, contained in public law
• H.R. 1768Lower Costs for Everyday Americans ActRelated bill

As identified by Congress.gov.

Full history

1. Apr 29, 2025

   Introduced

   Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 61.

   U.S. House

2. Apr 29, 2025

   Sent to the executive

   Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 61.

   U.S. Senate

3. Apr 28, 2025

   Considered Under Suspension of the rules. (consideration: cr H1662-1663)

   Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1662-1663)

4. Apr 28, 2025

   Considered Under Suspension of the rules. (consideration: cr H1662-1663)

   Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1662-1663)

5. Apr 28, 2025

   Considered Under Suspension of the rules. (consideration: cr H1662-1663)

   Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1662-1663)

Read the record

• Read on Congress.gov (opens in a new tab) The official record on Congress.gov.