Senate Passes Capito’s Rural Broadband Protection Bill

WASHINGTON, Sep. 30, 2024 - Legislation designed to protect the financial integrity of a major broadband subsidy program took a step forward last week, according to Sen. Shelly Moore Capito, R-W.Va.

The Rural Broadband Protection Act sponsored by Capito passed the Senate on Thursday by unanimous vote, the lawmaker said in a press release.

Capito’s bill would require a more thorough vetting and verification process for Internet service providers that seek to participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s multibillion-dollar High-Cost program.

The bill's key provisions ensure that funding from the Universal Service Fund’s High-Cost program went to companies with a proven record of success and sound judgment in building out underserved areas. 

“[Discussions with rural providers have] made it abundantly clear the FCC needs congressional direction to ensure taxpayer money is being used properly to fund broadband deployment in rural areas,” Capito said. “By verifying that providers can actually deliver on the promises made to bring high-speed internet to specific areas, we can maximize the influx of broadband dollars.”

The USF’s High-Cost program helps carriers provide service in rural areas where the market cannot support the cost of building network infrastructure or providing connectivity.

According to the Universal Service Administrative Company, which runs the USF on behalf of the FCC, the High-Cost program spent more than $4 billion in 2023.

Capito’s bill heads to the House of Representatives after breezing through the Senate.