Shelley Capito (R-WV)
Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Became Public Law No: 119-89.
Became law
Passed both chambers and was signed by the President, or became law without a signature.
Nothing more in Congress: it is law. When it takes effect depends on the dates written into it — some parts start at once, others a year or more later.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate voice vote
- Passed House voice vote
- To President
- Became Law
No one's position on it was recorded: the Senate by voice vote (members called out yes or no together), and the House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together).
What this bill would do
The Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025 directs the Federal Communications Commission to create a vetting process for those seeking high-cost universal service program funding. This process applies to new offers of funding for deploying broadband-capable networks and providing services. The Commission must start a rulemaking proceeding within 180 days of the Act's enactment. Under these rules, applicants must prove they have the technical, financial, and operational capabilities to deliver services. The Commission will evaluate these proposals against established standards and the applicant's history of compliance with government programs. Additionally, the rules must include penalties for pre-authorization defaults.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +5
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill is specifically designed to ensure that broadband service providers in rural areas are capable of delivering promised services.
- Scored +5
Does this get reliable internet to more people?
The bill strengthens the reliability of broadband deployment by ensuring only capable providers receive high-cost universal service funding.
- Scored +4
Does this invest in rural communities?
The bill directly aims to protect and improve the deployment of broadband networks in rural areas through a more rigorous vetting process.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Ensuring Reliable Broadband Deployment: By requiring applicants to demonstrate they possess the technical, financial, and operational capabilities, as well as a reasonable business plan, the bill aims to ensure that those receiving funds can actually deliver the promised services (Section 2, paragraph 3, subparagraph B).
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Accountability through Evaluation: The Commission will evaluate proposals against well-established standards and the applicant's history of complying with other government broadband deployment funding programs, which helps ensure only capable entities receive funds (Section 2, paragraph 3, subparagraph C).
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Deterrence of Defaults: The mandate to set penalties for pre-authorization defaults of at least $9,000 per violation, or a certain percentage of total support, creates a financial consequence for those who fail to meet their obligations (Section 2, paragraph 3, subparagraph D).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Financial Penalties for Applicants: Applicants face a penalty of at least $9,000 per violation for pre-authorization defaults, with the base forfeiture potentially reaching up to 30 percent of the total support (Section 2, paragraph 3, subparagraph D).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill is specifically designed to ensure that broadband service providers in rural areas are capable of delivering promised services. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Ensuring reliable broadband deployment can assist low-income households in accessing essential digital services.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill strengthens the reliability of broadband deployment by ensuring only capable providers receive high-cost universal service funding.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill increases fiscal responsibility by establishing penalties for applicants who default on their commitments. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill ensures more reliable broadband deployment which can support economic activity, though it focuses on vetting rather than direct job creation.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill directly aims to protect and improve the deployment of broadband networks in rural areas through a more rigorous vetting process.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill introduces more rigorous standards and historical compliance checks for the distribution of government funds.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By securing reliable broadband through vetted providers, the bill supports digital access which can assist in poverty reduction efforts.
- Public Law (5/12/2026)
The text as it became law
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
- 5/11/2026
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-89.
- 4/30/2026
- Presented to President.
- 4/20/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 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)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 98.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2976-2978)
- Mr. Allen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 12/16/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/3/2025
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 6/27/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 6/26/2025
- 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)
- 4/28/2025
- 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.
- 3/11/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/5/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 1/15/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
John CurtisRepublican · Utah
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Gary PetersDemocrat · Michigan
Raphael WarnockDemocrat · Georgia