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ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2023

USA118th CongressS-1642| Senate 
| Updated: 5/17/2023
Peter Welch

Peter Welch

Democratic Senator

Vermont

Cosponsors (3)
Roger Marshall (Republican)Kevin Cramer (Republican)Tina Smith (Democratic)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2023 This bill merges the pilot ReConnect Loan and Grant Program with existing loans and grants provided by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to facilitate broadband access to rural areas that lack sufficient access to broadband. It also requires that any unobligated amounts available for the pilot program be transferred and made available, without further appropriations, to the merged program. The bill authorizes the merged program through FY2028. The bill specifies the eligibility criteria and other requirements that apply to the merged program, some of which are the same as the criteria and requirements that currently apply to the pilot program (e.g., the required minimum upload and download speeds). Further, the bill (1) eliminates the authority of USDA to make loan guarantees, and (2) authorizes USDA to make combinations of grants and loans. The bill also requires that recipients of grants and loans participate in specified federal programs that assist low-income individuals access broadband and telecommunication services.
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Timeline
May 17, 2023
Introduced in Senate
May 17, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Aug 21, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 118-4227
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
  • May 17, 2023
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 17, 2023
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.


  • August 21, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 118-4227
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 118-4227: ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2023
Computers and information technologyGovernment lending and loan guaranteesPerformance measurementRural conditions and developmentSmall towns

ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2023

USA118th CongressS-1642| Senate 
| Updated: 5/17/2023
ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2023 This bill merges the pilot ReConnect Loan and Grant Program with existing loans and grants provided by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to facilitate broadband access to rural areas that lack sufficient access to broadband. It also requires that any unobligated amounts available for the pilot program be transferred and made available, without further appropriations, to the merged program. The bill authorizes the merged program through FY2028. The bill specifies the eligibility criteria and other requirements that apply to the merged program, some of which are the same as the criteria and requirements that currently apply to the pilot program (e.g., the required minimum upload and download speeds). Further, the bill (1) eliminates the authority of USDA to make loan guarantees, and (2) authorizes USDA to make combinations of grants and loans. The bill also requires that recipients of grants and loans participate in specified federal programs that assist low-income individuals access broadband and telecommunication services.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 17, 2023
Introduced in Senate
May 17, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Aug 21, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 118-4227
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
  • May 17, 2023
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 17, 2023
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.


  • August 21, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 118-4227
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
Peter Welch

Peter Welch

Democratic Senator

Vermont

Cosponsors (3)
Roger Marshall (Republican)Kevin Cramer (Republican)Tina Smith (Democratic)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 118-4227: ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2023
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Computers and information technologyGovernment lending and loan guaranteesPerformance measurementRural conditions and developmentSmall towns