December 12, 2025
Mr. Soto introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
To direct the Federal Communications Commission to establish a program to make grants to certain radio stations experiencing harmful interference, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Stop Communist Radio Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Grants to certain radio stations experiencing harmful interference
(a) Establishment
The Commission shall establish a program to make grants on a competitive basis to enable covered radio stations experiencing harmful interference from radio transmissions originating in the Republic of Cuba to acquire and operate technology and equipment to mitigate such harmful interference.
(b) Eligibility
The Commission may only award a grant under this section to the licensee of a covered radio station if—
(1)
such station has experienced harmful interference from radio transmissions originating in Cuba; and
(2)
such licensee submits to the Commission an application at such time, in such form, and containing such information and assurances as the Commission may require.
(c) Use of funds
The licensee of a covered radio station that receives a grant under this section shall use grant funds to acquire and operate technology and equipment to mitigate harmful interference experienced by such station from radio transmissions originating in Cuba, in accordance with the terms and conditions specified by the Commission under subsection (d).
(d) Terms and conditions
In making a grant to the licensee of a covered radio station under this section, the Commission shall specify such terms and conditions relating to the operation of the technology and equipment acquired with grant funds as the Commission considers appropriate in order to enable such licensee to reduce the effects of harmful interference to such station from radio transmissions originating in Cuba while avoiding harmful interference to other spectrum users.
(e) Treatment under Communications Act of 1934
The operation by the licensee of a covered radio station that receives a grant under this section of technology and equipment acquired with grant funds, to the extent that such operation is in accordance with the terms and conditions specified by the Commission under subsection (d) in making such grant, shall be treated as being in compliance with the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.), the regulations promulgated under such Act, and the license of such station.
(f) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Commission
The term Commission
means the Federal Communications Commission.
(2) Covered radio station
The term covered radio station
means a radio station that—
(A)
is licensed by the Commission to engage in AM or FM radio broadcasting;
(B)
has a small coverage area, as determined by the Commission; and
(C)
is not affiliated with any radio network or government entity.