On March 20, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan resolution urging Congress to protect rural broadband and telecommunications services immediately. The non-binding resolution, introduced by Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) and Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), expresses concern over the impending financial crisis faced by the Universal Service Fund (USF) and calls for legislative action to ensure the sustainability of rural connectivity infrastructure.
The USF, managed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), supports essential broadband and telecommunications programs, including the Connect America Fund, Lifeline, E-Rate, and Rural Health Care. These initiatives provide subsidies to rural telecom providers, schools, libraries, and health clinics in remote areas where the cost of deploying services is prohibitively high.
The resolution, while symbolic, sends a strong message to federal lawmakers about the urgency of the issue. It highlights the potential risks posed by delays in USF reform and the dire consequences for rural communities. According to the text, “Without sustainable funding, rural broadband providers may be forced to reduce services or raise rates, further widening the digital divide.”
Industry analysts have warned that the USF’s current funding mechanism—largely reliant on declining interstate telephone revenues—is outdated and insufficient for supporting today’s broadband-heavy infrastructure. A 2024 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report noted that “the contribution base for the USF has shrunk by nearly 60% over the past two decades,” while demand for broadband subsidies has surged.
The stakes are particularly high for small rural Internet Service Providers (ISPs), electric cooperatives, and Tribal telecom operators who depend on USF disbursements to sustain and expand operations. “These funds are the backbone of rural broadband,” said Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, in a recent policy statement. “If Congress doesn’t act soon, communities already struggling with connectivity will be pushed further behind”.
The Rural Broadband Association and other stakeholder groups have advocated for expanding the USF contribution base to include revenues from broadband internet access services, edge providers, and other modern communications platforms, an idea gaining traction in policy circles.
The resolution passed with broad bipartisan support, demonstrating a rare consensus on rural infrastructure. Lawmakers from both parties emphasized the importance of broadband for economic development, public safety, education, and healthcare access in rural areas.
Rep. Craig stated on the House floor, “Rural Americans deserve the same opportunities as anyone else—without reliable internet, they’re cut off from basic services and economic growth.” Rep. Mullin added, “This isn’t a partisan issue. It’s about keeping our communities connected and our kids competitive.”
Despite the strong rhetoric, translating the resolution into actionable legislation remains uncertain. Any long-term fix to the USF structure will require a politically sensitive overhaul of how telecommunications services are taxed, and revenues are redistributed—an issue that has historically sparked industry and consumer debates.
The article’s core message—that Congress must protect rural broadband through sustained funding and structural reform—is clearly articulated and well-supported by documented sources. The logic follows a coherent path from the resolution’s passing to its potential policy impact, ensuring readers understand both the resolution’s symbolic nature and the real-world stakes involved.
The House resolution represents a critical step in elevating rural broadband as a national policy priority. While non-binding, it reflects a growing recognition across party lines that the digital divide threatens rural prosperity and national economic competitiveness. The success of any future legislative effort will depend on Congress’s willingness to confront structural funding challenges and modernize the USF to reflect 21st-century connectivity demands.
