Capito Bill Tightens FCC Vetting of Broadband Providers
Measure targets accountability in how federal broadband funds are awarded
WASHINGTON, April 28, 2026 - Congress’ April 20 approval of West Virginia Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025, S.98, puts legislators on record as tightening the screws on broadband providers for using federal funds.
It’s designed to prevent broadband providers from failing to deliver federally funded projects by tightening oversight at the front end of the funding process.
The bipartisan measure, introduced Jan. 15, 2025, would require the Federal Communications Commission to vet broadband providers before awarding high-cost universal service funding.
