S. 98 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-89
Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025
2 sections in the law, all of them in the bill as introduced.
Signed May 11, 2026 · Introduced January 15, 2025 in the Senate
Sponsor: Sen. Shelley Capito (R-WV) · 4 cosponsors (3 D, 1 R)
Our check
Not checked yet. No section of this law gets a verdict until a person approves the check.
Grade = share of sections a reviewed check found not described by the bill’s title or summary: Prime Cut 0%, Lean up to 5%, Marbled up to 20%, Pork Barrel over 20%. Pending review until a person has approved the check. How we decide
The yardstick
What the law says it does
A check compares every section with these texts, and nothing else.
Official title
To require the Federal Communications Commission to establish a vetting process for prospective applicants for high-cost universal service program funding.
Official summary (Congressional Research Service) · as public law
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.
How it became law
- IntroducedJan 15
- CommitteeFeb 5
- HouseApr 20
- SenateJun 26
- SignedMay 11
As introduced: To require the Federal Communications Commission to establish a vetting process for prospective applicants for high-cost universal service program funding.
Key steps, cosponsors and text changes (15)
Sponsor
Original cosponsors
SenateIntroduced in Senate
- Text: Introduced in Senate
2 sections
SenateCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Cosponsor joined
- Text: Reported to Senate
2 sections, no changes
SenatePassed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S3570; text: CR S3570)
- Text: Engrossed in Senate
2 sections, no changes
Cosponsor joined
HouseOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2977)
HousePresented to President.
- Text: Enrolled Bill
2 sections, no changes
Became Public Law No: 119-89.
Signed by President.
Show every recorded step (22)
Sponsor
Original cosponsors
SenateRead twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
SenateIntroduced in Senate
- Text: Introduced in Senate
2 sections
SenateCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Cosponsor joined
SenatePlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 48.
SenateCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-14.
- Text: Reported to Senate
2 sections, no changes
SenatePassed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S3570; text: CR S3570)
- Text: Engrossed in Senate
2 sections, no changes
HouseReceived in the House.
Cosponsor joined
HouseOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2977)
HouseDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 98.
HouseConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2976-2978)
HouseMr. Allen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
HousePresented to President.
- Text: Enrolled Bill
2 sections, no changes
Became Public Law No: 119-89.
Signed by President.
Source: GovInfo bill status and text versions. 4 cosponsors.
Every section
All 2 sections, in order
From the enrolled bill text on GovInfo. Read any section in full on Congress.gov.
- Sec. 1Short title
- Sec. 2Vetting process for prospective high-cost universal service fund applicants
Sponsor and cosponsors
Show all 5 members, by last name
Sponsor: Sen. Shelley Capito (R-WV)
- Sen. John Curtis (R-UT)
- Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
- Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI)
- Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA)
Share this law
The card shows the section count and how many were added. No sponsor, party or state.
Sources: bill text and status, GovInfo (Enrolled Bill) · Official summary, Congressional Research Service · Congress.gov, as of November 1, 2026. US government works are in the public domain · This bill on Congress.gov (opens in new tab)