US Congress · 119th Congress (2025-2026)

S 98Law

Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

Source of recordUS Congress · congress.govLast synced Aug 8, 2026

Chamber

Senate

Progress

Where this bill stands in the legislative process.

Introduced
Passed Senate
Passed House
To President
Became Law

Overview

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create a process for evaluating companies seeking funding for broadband deployment in rural and high-cost areas. The FCC must establish specific criteria and standards for applicants, including technical, financial, and operational capabilities, as well as a solid business plan. The FCC will also need to consider an applicant’s past compliance with other government funding programs and establish penalties for failing to meet requirements before receiving support.

Key provisions

The FCC must establish a vetting process for applicants seeking high-cost universal service program funding.
The FCC must initiate a rulemaking within 180 days to define the vetting process.
Applicants must demonstrate technical, financial, and operational capabilities and a business plan.
The FCC will evaluate proposals against established technical standards and an applicant’s compliance history.
The FCC can impose financial penalties for pre-authorization defaults.

Who is affected

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Broadband providers
Rural communities
Telecommunications companies
Applicants for broadband funding

Notable changes

Requires the FCC to implement a formal vetting process for broadband funding applications.

Bill text

Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.

Jan 15, 2025XMLView source

Text extraction is in progress. View the official source.

Legislative history

23 recorded actions · showing the most recent 12

Apr 20, 2026House

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

Apr 20, 2026House

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

Apr 20, 2026

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

Apr 20, 2026House

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

Apr 20, 2026House

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

Apr 20, 2026House

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

Apr 30, 2026House

Presented to President.

Apr 30, 2026

Presented to President.

May 11, 2026

Became Public Law No: 119-89.

May 11, 2026

Became Public Law No: 119-89.

May 11, 2026

Signed by President.

May 11, 2026

Signed by President.

Votes

Recorded roll calls and chamber actions on this bill.

Passage without roll call

The official record shows passage by unanimous consent or voice vote where no roll call was taken. No member-level tally is available for these steps, and the district map does not apply.

4/20/2026HouseVoice vote
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2977)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.
4/20/2026Voice vote
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2977)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.
6/26/2025SenateVoice vote
Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S3570; text: CR S3570)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.
6/26/2025Voice vote
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
No roll-call vote on record for this action.

Floor votes and chamber actions

Recorded roll calls list how each member voted. Unanimous consent or voice vote appears in the official action history without a roll call; no member-level tally is available for those steps.

Passage without roll call

Apr 20, 2026HouseVoice vote
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2977)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.
Apr 20, 2026Voice vote
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2977)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.
Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice vote
Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S3570; text: CR S3570)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.
Jun 26, 2025Voice vote
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
No roll-call vote on record for this action.

Geography

Recorded positions across the country.

No public positions recorded for this legislation.

Arguments

Reasons offered for and against this legislation.

Arguments in favor

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Arguments opposed

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Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

Progress