# 117-hr-4374: Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act

117-hr-4374, Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act, is a 117th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13] (D-GA); status Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 466. (as of 2025-11-18).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-hr-4374
- As of: 2025-11-18
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 117-hr-4374
- Congress: 117
- Title: Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act
- Status: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 466.
- Introduced: 2021-07-09
- Sponsor: Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13] (D-GA)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2025-11-18

## Summary

Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act This bill reauthorizes and makes other changes to various programs of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) that support broadband internet expansion in rural areas. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2030 and modifies a program that provides grants, loans, and loan guarantees for broadband expansion. Modifications include revising the criteria used to prioritize applications and projects and changing the name of the program to the ReConnect Rural Broadband Program. Further, the bill terminates on June 30, 2022, a separate USDA pilot program that supports broadband expansion in rural areas; any program funds that remain available after that date shall be used for the ReConnect Rural Broadband Program. The bill also reauthorizes through FY2030 programs that support (1) rural broadband access, including for economically challenged communities; and (2) innovative technologies to decrease broadband deployment costs and increase broadband speeds. It also increases the authorization of appropriations for grants, loans, and other assistance to expand middle mile broadband infrastructure (i.e., connections between national and regional internet backbones and schools, businesses, residences, and other local connection sites). Additionally, USDA must establish a system to disseminate information and technical assistance concerning its broadband expansion programs and may award grants to units of governments and other eligible entities to collect data about broadband availability (e.g., location of infrastructure, costs, and speeds).

## Related bills

- 117-hr-3537: Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act
- 117-hr-1193: Cardiovascular Advances in Research and Opportunities Legacy Act
- 117-hr-5142: To award posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal, in commemoration to the servicemembers who perished in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021, during the evacuation…
- 117-hr-263: Big Cat Public Safety Act
- 117-hr-1868: To prevent across-the-board direct spending cuts, and for other purposes.
- 117-hr-1842: Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act

## Sources
- [117-hr-4374 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4374)

## Related
- [117-hr-3537: Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-hr-3537)
- [117-hr-1193: Cardiovascular Advances in Research and Opportunities Legacy Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-hr-1193)
- [117-hr-5142: To award posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal, in commemoration to the servi…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-hr-5142)
- [117-hr-263: Big Cat Public Safety Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-hr-263)
- [117-hr-1868: To prevent across-the-board direct spending cuts, and for other purposes.](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-hr-1868)
- [117-hr-1842: Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-hr-1842)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-hr-4374 (as of 2025-11-18).