Congressional Bills S. 98 and S. 1020 Signed into Law

On Monday, May 11, 2026, President Donald J. Trump signed two bipartisan bills into law aimed at strengthening rural infrastructure and expanding domestic energy production.S. 98: The “Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025”This legislation enhances accountability in the deployment of high-speed internet to underserved areas.Vetting for Results: The law requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a rigorous vetting process for any company applying for high-cost universal service program funding.Protecting Taxpayers: By ensuring that applicants are technically and financially capable of building broadband networks, the Act aims to prevent the waste of federal funds and ensure that rural American communities actually receive the connectivity they were promised.S. 1020: Hydropower Project ExtensionThis Act provides significant regulatory flexibility to the domestic energy sector.Extending Deadlines: The law authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend construction deadlines for covered hydropower projects for an additional six years.Energy Security: By giving developers more time to navigate the complexities of large-scale infrastructure, the administration aims to ensure that clean, reliable hydropower remains a vital part of the American energy baseload as part of the "America First" energy independence strategy.Both bills align with the President's broader agenda to cut "red tape," modernize American infrastructure, and prioritize the needs of rural citizens and domestic energy producers.