ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would remake the federal ReConnect program to fund broadband construction in non-urban areas, with a central goal of delivering at least 100 Mbps downstream and 100 Mbps upstream service. It targets places where most households lack modern broadband and uses grants, loans, or both to pay for buildout and equipment.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
New rural broadband grants and loans
This bill would create a rural broadband program that offers grants, direct loans, or both. It would authorize $650 million each year for 2026–2030 for grants, and $350 million each year for direct loans. Up to 5% could cover administration, and 3%–5% would fund technical assistance and training. Some unused earlier broadband funds would be rescinded and the same amount re-appropriated to this program the next day. No new awards could be made after September 30, 2030.
Stronger buildout and affordability requirements
Funded projects would have to deliver at least 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload service. In most cases, projects would be in places where at least 75% of homes lack 100/20 service. Builders would need to finish within five years of first getting money and take part in ACP, Lifeline, or a successor program. The agency could adjust standards every two years and allow lower targets in uniquely costly areas.
Funds target the most unserved areas
Top priority would go to areas where 90% of homes lack 100/20 service. Extra priority could favor very small towns, places losing people with a plan, low‑income or isolated areas, projects paying prevailing wages, farm uses, and experienced providers. Funds could not build over areas already served by other public‑funded projects unless at least 25% of homes still lack 100/20 service. To spread money, large providers and any one State could not get more than 15% of yearly funds.
Grant-only help and local match rules
Some projects could get grant-only funding if they are led by Tribes, colonias, persistent-poverty counties, or socially vulnerable communities, or if at least 90% of homes in the area lack 100/20 service. For other applicants, the agency could require up to a 25% local match. The agency could waive that match for the disadvantaged projects listed above.
Who can apply and where qualifies
States, local governments, Tribes, cooperatives, and companies could apply. Individuals and certain general partnerships could not. Rural areas would generally exclude towns over 20,000 people and other areas named in law. The agency would define which technologies count as broadband and could, by rule, treat some growing areas as non‑rural.
Direct loans only, no guarantees
If enacted, the program would stop offering loan guarantees. The agency would only make direct loans to borrowers.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]
IA • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]
NM • D
Sponsored 4/30/2025
Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17]
IL • D
Sponsored 4/30/2025
Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1]
MN • R
Sponsored 4/30/2025
Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13]
IL • D
Sponsored 4/30/2025
Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/30/2025
Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]
MI • R
Sponsored 4/30/2025
Wittman
VA • R
Sponsored 4/30/2025
Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
MI • D
Sponsored 4/30/2025
Stauber
MN • R
Sponsored 4/30/2025
Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]
IA • R
Sponsored 5/5/2025
Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]
NC • D
Sponsored 5/5/2025
Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2]
IN • R
Sponsored 5/19/2025
Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]
MI • R
Sponsored 6/12/2025
Riley (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 8/12/2025
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Bost
IL • R
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]
NH • D
Sponsored 10/28/2025
Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
CO • D
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
KS • D
Sponsored 1/2/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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