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119th Congress Science, Technology, Communications

S. 98: Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

Became LawPublic Law 119-89, signed May 11, 2026

  1. Introduced (completed)Jan 15, 2025
  2. Passed Senate (completed)Jun 26, 2025
  3. Passed House (completed)Apr 20, 2026
  4. To the President (completed)Apr 30, 2026
  5. Became law (completed)May 11, 2026

Summary

Public Law, May 11, 2026

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.

Read the full summary

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.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Roll calls

0 votes on this bill

No roll call votes have been held on this bill.

Amendments

0 offered

No amendments were offered to this bill.

Cosponsors

4

Bipartisan support.

Who scored on this bill

172 points earned
  1. 1Shelley Capito R-WV SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced, reported, passed Senate, passed House, became law6 events+156
  2. 2John Curtis R-UTCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
  3. 2Amy Klobuchar D-MNCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
  4. 2Gary Peters D-MICosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
  5. 2Raphael Warnock D-GACosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
See all scorers and every scoring event

Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

Other bills by Shelley Capito

History

  1. May 11, 2026Signed by the President. Became Public Law 119-89.
  2. Apr 30, 2026Presented to the President.
  3. Apr 20, 2026Passed the House by voice vote.
  4. Jun 26, 2025Passed the Senate by voice vote.
  5. Jan 15, 2025Introduced in the Senate by Shelley Capito.
Show the full action history (19 actions)
  1. May 11, 2026Signed by President.
  2. May 11, 2026Became Public Law No: 119-89.
  3. Apr 30, 2026Presented to President.
  4. Apr 20, 2026Mr. Allen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  5. Apr 20, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2976-2978)
  6. Apr 20, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 98.
  7. Apr 20, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2977)
  8. Apr 20, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2977)
  9. Apr 20, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  10. Jul 3, 2025Received in the House.
  11. Jul 3, 2025Held at the desk.
  12. Jun 27, 2025Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  13. Jun 26, 2025Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
  14. Jun 26, 2025Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S3570; text: CR S3570)
  15. Apr 28, 2025Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-14.
  16. Apr 28, 2025Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 48.
  17. Feb 5, 2025Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
  18. Jan 15, 2025Introduced in Senate
  19. Jan 15, 2025Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.