Bill · H.R. 1681· House(119-HR-1681)
Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act
- Introduced
- 2/27/2025
- Last activity
- 4/21/2026 — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Gabe Evans
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 2
- Introduced
- Passed House
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
This Act, titled the "Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act," mandates the creation of an interagency strike force. The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information will establish this force within 180 days of enactment. The strike force is tasked with ensuring Federal land management agencies prioritize reviewing requests for communications use authorizations. These agencies include the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service. The strike force will establish goals and monitor agency accountability regarding these reviews. Finally, a report on the strike force's effectiveness must be submitted to Congress.
Yes· 3 of 10
Does this get reliable internet to more people?+6
The bill's primary purpose is to expedite the review process for communications facilities to enhance broadband deployment.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+5
The mandate to expedite communications use on public and forest lands directly benefits residents in rural areas seeking better connectivity.
Does this invest in rural communities?+5
The act specifically aims to expedite broadband deployment on federal lands, which is a critical component of rural development.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to passPassed 384–9
The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not.
04/20/2026 · Roll call 125 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Prioritized Communications Reviews: The bill requires Federal land management agencies to prioritize the review of requests for communications use authorizations (Section 2(a)(1)). This is intended to ensure the placement and operation of communications facilities, such as easements or leases, are processed more efficiently on covered land (Section 2(b)(5)).
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Established Accountability and Goals: The strike force is tasked with establishing objective and reasonable goals for the review of communications use requests (Section 2(a)(3)(B)). Additionally, the force will monitor and facilitate accountability for agencies to ensure they are meeting these established goals (Section 2(a)(3)(C)).
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Congressional Oversight: The Assistant Secretary is required to submit a report to appropriate congressional committees regarding the effectiveness of the strike force (Section 2(a)(4)). This provides a mechanism for the government to report on whether the goal of prioritizing communications reviews is actually being met.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly detailed in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Middle Class Households+2Good For Urban Residents+1
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+6
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Small Business Support+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+1
- 4/21/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 4/20/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 384 - 9 (Roll no. 125). (text: CR H2971-2972)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 384 - 9 (Roll no. 125). (text: CR H2971-2972)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2978-2979)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1681.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2971-2973)
- Mr. Allen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 3/26/2026
- Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-439, Part II.
- Committee on Agriculture discharged.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 494.
- 1/12/2026
- Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-439, Part I.
- 11/18/2025
- Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 4/29/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/9/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
- 3/28/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
- 2/27/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Agriculture, 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.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Angie CraigDemocrat · Minnesota
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia