WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) today introduced the ReConnecting Rural America Act, bipartisan legislation that would permanently authorize and improve the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) ReConnect Program, which delivers broadband internet to underserved rural communities. The legislation is co-led by Representatives Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) and Eric Sorensen (D-IL).
“Nearly 400,000 Iowans do not have access to a reliable internet connection. That’s a student who can’t finish their homework, a farmer who can’t utilize precision ag tools, or a senior who can’t access telehealth services,” said Rep. Nunn. “This is unacceptable in a modern economy where success is determined by connectivity. The ReConnecting Rural America Act delivers high-speed internet to the hardest-to-reach places by making targeted, permanent investments in rural broadband.”
Almost one in five Iowans still lacks access to basic broadband services, and Iowa ranks 45th in broadband access nationally. In rural Iowa, families are locked out of critical tools like telehealth, precision agriculture, and online education due to slow or nonexistent internet connections.
“In our interconnected world, it is essential that American families and small businesses across the country have access to reliable high-speed internet no matter where they live,” said Rep. Sorensen. “The ReConnect Program helps do that by delivering affordable internet to rural communities that too often find themselves left behind. I’m proud to support bipartisan legislation that will improve this program to help our small business compete globally and ensure families can connect with loved ones, school, and health care providers.”
“In 2025, It is unacceptable for rural and Tribal communities in New Mexico to lack reliable internet,” said Rep. Vasquez. “Internet access allows communities to pursue education, apply for jobs, access health services, run a business, and connect with their communities and the world. This is an important step in strengthening our communities and ensuring New Mexicans stay connected.”
“As small broadband providers in rural areas work tirelessly to bridge the digital divide, the ReConnect program has been an important resource to get the job done,” said Shirley Bloomfield, NTCA Rural Broadband Association CEO. “The ReConnecting Rural America Act improves upon this already successful program to better target funding where it is needed most, recognizes that experience matters when it comes to delivering rural broadband, and ensures that those in the most rural and hard to serve areas receive the same high-quality, high-speed broadband as those in urban areas. We greatly appreciate Representative Nunn for introducing this legislation today and thank him for his leadership on this critical issue.”
The ReConnecting Rural America Act would codify and enhance the ReConnect Program within the Rural Electrification Act, establishing stronger minimum broadband speeds and ensuring federal support reaches the communities most in need of internet service upgrades. It addresses the disparities in internet connection by:
- Authorizing $650 million annually through 2030 for broadband deployment in unserved and underserved rural areas,
- Requiring a minimum broadband speed of 100 Mbps upload and 100 Mbps download,
- Focusing funding on areas where at least 75% of households lack access to 100/20 Mbps service,
- Allowing USDA to offer a mix of loans, grants, and loan/grant combinations,
- Prioritizing small, remote, and underserved rural communities, and
- Providing up to 100% grant funding for tribal areas, colonias, and other socially vulnerable or persistently poor communities.
The bill also supports broadband deployment for precision agriculture on cropland and ranchland and ensures participating providers join affordability programs like Lifeline or the Affordable Connectivity Program.
The bill is cosponsored by Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI), Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Rep. Brad Finstad (R-MN), Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA), Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI), Rep. John Mannion (D-NY), Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN). It is endorsed by the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association and NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association.
Text of the bill can be found here.
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