ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3119
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-30: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-03T09:05:18Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025 amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to establish the ReConnect program. Its main goal is to expand access to high-speed internet (broadband service) in rural areas by providing financial help—such as grants, loans, or a mix of both—for building, upgrading, or buying the necessary facilities and equipment.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- Broadband service: Any technology that allows users to send and receive high-quality voice, data, graphics, and video (as determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary).
- Rural area: Generally any location outside cities, towns, or incorporated areas with more than 20,000 people; excludes certain urban-adjacent or high-density populations. The Secretary can adjust this via regulations.
- Financial Assistance:
- The Secretary of Agriculture can offer grants, loans, or combinations to eligible groups for broadband projects.
- Projects must deliver at least 100 megabits per second (Mbps) download and upload speeds.
- Projects must target areas where at least 75% of homes lack broadband of at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload; priority goes to areas where 90% or more lack such service.
- Additional priorities include small populations (under 10,000), areas with outmigration and community plans for broadband, high low-income rates, isolated locations, precision agriculture needs, projects using fair labor wages (as set by the U.S. Department of Labor), or applicants with 5+ years of rural service experience.
- For grants only (no loans), extra eligibility for Tribal organizations, colonias (underserved border communities), persistent poverty counties, or socially vulnerable communities; or areas with 90%+ unserved households.
- Eligibility and Requirements:
- Eligible applicants include state/local governments, U.S. territories, Indian Tribes, cooperatives, corporations, or limited liability companies (but not individuals or general partnerships of individuals).
- Applicants must apply as required, complete projects within 5 years, and join federal affordability programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program or Lifeline (which help low-income people get discounted internet).
- Limits: Large providers (serving 20%+ of U.S. households) or states/agencies can't get more than 15% of annual funds.
- No funding for areas already served by other federal or state broadband programs unless that service doesn't meet the 100/20 Mbps threshold for 75%+ of homes.
- Cost-sharing: Applicants may need to cover up to 25% of grant costs, but this can be waived for certain underserved groups or projects.
- Technical help: 3-5% of funds for training eligible groups on applications, management, and broadband planning.
- Broadband standards: Minimum 100/100 Mbps, reviewed every 2 years; buildout commitments ensure long-term service quality and loan repayment. Substitutes allowed if full standards are too costly in unique areas.
- Funding and Administration:
- Authorizes $650 million per year from fiscal years 2026-2030 for the main program (available until spent); up to 5% for administration.
- Additional $350 million per year (2026-2030) for separate rural broadband loans under prior rules.
- Rescinds (cancels) unused funds from a 2018 law and redirects them here.
- Program ends September 30, 2030; an older broadband provision from 2018 sunsets 120 days after enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Replaces most of Section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb), shifting from a focus on loans/guarantees to a broader mix of grants, loans, and combinations.
- Updates broadband speed requirements from lower thresholds (e.g., previously 25/3 Mbps in some contexts) to at least 100/100 Mbps, with periodic reviews.
- Introduces new priorities for unserved areas, equity waivers, labor standards, and affordability program participation.
- Adds caps on large providers/states, exclusions for overlapping funded areas, and a dedicated technical assistance fund.
- Rescinds and repurposes funds from a 2018 appropriations act, ending that program's authority.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) gains expanded authority and funding to administer the program, including reviews and technical support; shifts resources from older programs, potentially streamlining rural infrastructure efforts.
- Citizens: Improves internet access for rural households, especially in underserved or low-income areas, enabling better education, healthcare, remote work, and agriculture tech; supports affordability for low-income users via required program ties.
- International Relations: No direct impacts mentioned; focuses solely on domestic rural U.S. infrastructure.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Rural Residents and Communities: Primary beneficiaries, particularly in unserved areas, Tribes, colonias, poverty counties, and vulnerable groups seeking reliable broadband.
- Telecom and Utility Providers: Eligible entities like cooperatives, corporations, and local governments can access funding but face competition rules, cost-shares, and buildout deadlines.
- Government Entities: USDA (administers program), state/local governments, and Indian Tribes (as applicants or partners).
- Workers and Farmers: Benefits from fair wage requirements and precision agriculture support, aiding rural employment and productivity.
- Large Broadband Companies: Limited by funding caps, encouraging smaller or local providers.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens federal support for digital equity under existing rural development laws; includes enforceable buildout timelines and overlap restrictions to prevent wasteful spending. Labor provisions tie into federal wage laws (Davis-Bacon Act), ensuring fair pay without new mandates.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power for general welfare (e.g., rural infrastructure); no apparent free speech, property, or equal protection issues, though definitions of "rural" could face regulatory challenges.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (from both parties) highlights rural broadband as a non-partisan priority; rescission of old funds may spark debate on reallocating prior investments, but emphasizes long-term rural economic growth over urban focus. Ends in 2030, allowing future Congresses to reassess.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (19)
Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2], Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-30: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-30: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-30: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-30: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-30 — PDF (18 pages)