S 1651 United States Senate · 119th Congress

Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025

This bill requires broadband providers and large "edge providers" (like social media, streaming, and search companies) to contribute to the Universal Service Fund (USF), which supports affordable broadband in rural and high-cost areas. It expands the USF contribution base beyond traditional phone companies to include these digital services, with exemptions for smaller providers (e.g., those handling under 3% of U.S. data or earning under $5 billion annually). The Federal Communications Commission must create new rules within 18 months to ensure fair contributions and establish a specific support mechanism for broadband providers serving high-cost areas. The goal is to make broadband more affordable for consumers by ensuring broader funding for universal service programs.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced May 7, 2025 Last action May 7, 2025
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Full legislative history

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Total actions
2
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0
Committee
1
May 7, 2025
Committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
upper
May 7, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors

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