# 119-s-1651: Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025

119-s-1651, Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK-2] (R-OK); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-10).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1651
- As of: 2026-09-10
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-1651
- Congress: 119
- Title: Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-05-07
- Sponsor: Rep. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK-2] (R-OK)
- Cosponsors: 6
- Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-10

## Summary

**Expands Universal Service Fund contributions to include broadband and edge providers.** This bill would direct the Federal Communications Commission to change how the Universal Service Fund is funded, create a new targeted high-cost support tool for carriers, and set rules and exemptions meant to make contributions more equitable and help lower consumer broadband prices. - Families and consumers: Would aim to reduce broadband bills by shifting some USF costs onto a broader set of companies rather than only end users. - Broadband and edge providers: Would be added to the USF contribution base, but edge providers that carry less than 3 percent of U.S. broadband data or earn under $5 billion in U.S. revenue would be exempt; other de minimis exemptions are allowed. - Eligible telecommunications carriers: Would receive a new, specific high-cost support mechanism for certain expenses, with a limit of no more than one carrier per area getting that support. - FCC and enforcement: Would require an initial FCC rulemaking within 18 months and lets the agency enforce the rules using its existing Communications Act powers.

## Cosponsors (6)

- Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ] (D-AZ), 2025-05-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID] (R-ID), 2025-05-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND] (R-ND), 2025-05-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO] (R-MO), 2026-03-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID] (R-ID), 2026-03-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR), 2026-06-09T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- New funding for carriers in high-cost areas: benefit, medium. If enacted, the FCC would have 18 months to create a new high-cost support program that gives specific, predictable support to eligible telecom carriers (ETCs). The support would pay costs the carrier does not recover from customer rates or other universal service programs. The FCC must ensure no m…
- New charges for internet and online platforms: mixed, high. If enacted, the FCC would have 18 months to require broadband providers and online "edge" services to contribute to the Universal Service Fund. The rules would aim to make contributions fair and nondiscriminatory. Some providers could be exempt: an edge provider that sent less than 3 percent of U.S…

## Related bills

- 119-s-1547: America the Beautiful Act
- 119-sres-585: A resolution honoring the life, achievements, and legacy of Ben Nighthorse Campbell.
- 119-sres-255: A resolution honoring the life, achievements, and legacy of former United States Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond of Missouri.
- 119-sres-159: A resolution honoring the life of the Honorable John Bennett Johnston, Jr., former Senator for the State of Louisiana.
- 119-sres-148: A resolution honoring the life of the Honorable Alan K. Simpson, former Senator for the State of Wyoming.
- 119-sres-19: A resolution honoring the life and legacy of President Jimmy Carter and commending President Jimmy Carter for his life-long career of public service, humanitar…

## Sources
- [119-s-1651 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1651)

## Related
- [119-s-1547: America the Beautiful Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1547)
- [119-sres-585: A resolution honoring the life, achievements, and legacy of Ben Nighthorse Camp…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-585)
- [119-sres-255: A resolution honoring the life, achievements, and legacy of former United State…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-255)
- [119-sres-159: A resolution honoring the life of the Honorable John Bennett Johnston, Jr., for…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-159)
- [119-sres-148: A resolution honoring the life of the Honorable Alan K. Simpson, former Senator…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-148)
- [119-sres-19: A resolution honoring the life and legacy of President Jimmy Carter and commend…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-19)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1651 (as of 2026-09-10).