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HOUSE 2399119th CongressReceived in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 61.

Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

Last Action
4/29/2025

Actions

  • 2025-04-29Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 61.
  • 2025-04-28Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  • 2025-04-28On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1662-1663)
  • 2025-04-28Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1662-1663)
  • 2025-04-28DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2399.
  • 2025-04-28Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1662-1663)
  • 2025-04-28Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  • 2025-04-24Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 55.
  • 2025-04-24Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-78.
  • 2025-04-24Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-78.
  • 2025-04-08Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 51 - 1.
  • 2025-04-08Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  • 2025-03-27Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • 2025-03-27Introduced in House
  • 2025-03-27Introduced in House

CRS Summary

As of 2025-03-27 (00)

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.  

Cosponsors (1)

  • Robin Kelly (D-IL)

Subjects

  • Internet, web applications, social media
  • Rural conditions and development
  • Telephone and wireless communication
Read on Congress.gov

Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.