Bill · S. 3084· Senate(119-S-3084)
ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 10/30/2025
- Last activity
- 10/30/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Sponsored by
- Roger Marshall
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025. It amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to officially set up the ReConnect program. The main goal is to provide grants, loans, and combinations of both to help build, improve, and buy equipment for broadband internet service in rural areas. The bill outlines who can apply for this funding and sets specific rules on the internet speeds required for projects. It also provides funding authorizations of $650,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out these broadband efforts. Finally, the program's authority is set to terminate after September 30, 2030.
Yes· 3 of 28
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+9
The entire bill is structured to directly benefit rural residents by closing the digital divide and funding high-speed internet.
Does this get reliable internet to more people?+9
The bill establishes the ReConnect program to aggressively expand high-speed broadband infrastructure and internet access in unserved rural regions.
Does this invest in rural communities?+8
The legislation directly invests heavily in expanding and upgrading broadband infrastructure across rural America.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill authorizes $650 million annually in appropriations for rural broadband grants and loans.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Better Internet for Rural Areas: Under Section 2, amending section 601(c)(1), the government will provide grants and loans to help build and improve broadband service in rural areas. This is a positive step because many rural communities struggle with slow or no internet access, which is needed for daily life, school, and work.
-
Help for Farmers and Low-Income Areas: Under Section 2, amending section 601(c)(3)(B), the Secretary of Agriculture is allowed to give priority to projects that bring rapid broadband to cropland and ranchland for precision agriculture, or to areas with a high percentage of low-income families, isolated populations, or communities experiencing outmigration. This helps ensure that vulnerable groups and vital farming operations get the targeted help they need.
-
Technical Help for Communities: Under Section 2, amending section 601(d)(3), the Secretary can provide technical assistance and training to eligible entities so they can properly prepare reports, manage finances, and fill out applications for broadband deployment. This is helpful for smaller or less-resourced rural areas that might otherwise struggle with the paperwork and management required for federal funding.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Cost Share Burdens: Under Section 2, amending section 601(d)(2), the Secretary may require entities to provide a cost share of up to 25 percent of the requested grant amount. This could be a negative burden for poor rural communities or small local governments that do not have extra cash on hand to pay their share of the project cost.
-
Restrictions on Previous Awards: Under Section 2, amending section 601(d)(1)(E), entities cannot use the funding to deploy broadband in a service area where another entity already received a government broadband grant or loan, unless that existing service falls below a specific speed threshold. This could mean some households stuck with subpar internet might be excluded from getting an upgrade if a previous provider technically checked a box, leaving people waiting longer for better service.
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+9Good For Farmers+5Good For Business Owners+4Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Children+3Good For Middle Aged+3Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Native Americans+3Good For Retirees+3Good For Seniors+3Good For Students+3Good For Veterans+3Good For Young Adults+3Good For African Americans+2Good For Hispanic Americans+2Good For Immigrants+2Good For People With Disabilities+2Good For Union Workers+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+4Improves Small Business Support+4Increases Job Creation+3Reduces Government Spending-2
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+9
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+8
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+2Improves Mental Health Access+2Improves Veterans Healthcare+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- 10/30/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont