Trump Signs USF Reform Bill Backed by Sen. Capito
The new law requires the FCC to establish a vetting process for USF applicants.
The new law requires the FCC to establish a vetting process for USF applicants.
WASHINGTON, May 12, 2026 — President Donald Trump has signed the Rural Broadband Protection Act authored by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., which requires the Federal Communications Commission to establish a vetting process for Universal Service Fund applicants.
Capito and other supporters hope this will prevent defaults, such as those affecting the 2020 Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.
“I have long supported efforts to expand broadband access to those who need it most, and this bill ensures that federal dollars are spent responsibly and directed toward connecting rural communities across West Virginia,” said Capito.
Measure would require FCC and GAO reviews of federal tool used to track broadband deployment spending.
The order distinguished Wisper’s request from other program defaults.
Conservative group alleges an ABC station in Houston broke the law by not notifying all eligible political candidates of their right to equal time
The patent Bell filed in 1876 never described a speaking telephone. His lawyers later argued it did.