LaHood offers bipartisan ReConnecting Rural America Act

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) on June 20 signed on as an original cosponsor of a bipartisan bill that would make permanent the ReConnect Program, which offers loans, grants, and loan-grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in underserved areas of rural America lacking broadband access.

“Access to reliable and fixed broadband is critical to our communities in the 16th District of Illinois, one of the largest rural and agricultural districts in the country,” Rep. LaHood said. “As we work to bridge the digital divide, I am proud to join this bipartisan group to introduce legislation that will expand broadband access for those who need it most in our rural communities.”

The ReConnecting Rural America Act, H.R. 4227, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA), has 13 other original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Mike Bost (R-IL), John Moolenaar (R-MI), David Valadao (R-CA), and Angie Craig (D-MN).

If enacted, H.R. 4227 would update the ReConnect Program, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) established in 2018, by making the program permanent and authorizing the USDA to make loans, grants, and grant-loan combinations for the construction and improvement of equipment and facilities to provide broadband, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. LaHood’s staff.

Additionally, H.R. 4227 would establish requirements for faster, more reliable internet, prioritize communities with the greatest need for increased speeds by redefining ‘unserved communities,’ and prioritize awards to areas where at least 90 percent of households lack certain, higher speeds, the summary says.

If enacted, H.R. 4227 also would include sufficient funding authorization levels, states the summary.

“Every single community deserves access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet,” said Rep. Craig. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to strengthen USDA’s ReConnect Program and provide Minnesota’s rural schools, businesses, and families with the internet access they need.”

The ReConnecting Rural America Act is supported by the Rural Broadband Association, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Farm Credit Council, and the Fiber Broadband Association.