Sens Thune, Luján, Klobuchar, Fischer Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Access to Rural Broadband

US Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM)—ranking member and chairman, respectively, of the Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband—and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) reintroduced the Rural Internet Improvement Act. This bipartisan legislation would streamline and bolster US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development broadband programs and ensure that their funding is being targeted to rural areas that need it the most. Sens Thune, Luján, Klobuchar, and Fischer are all members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture. The Rural Internet Improvement Act would:

• Streamline USDA’s broadband authorities by merging and codifying the popular Rural e-Connectivity Pilot Program (ReConnect) with USDA’s traditional broadband loan and grant program;
• Ensure ReConnect funding is going to areas most in need of reliable broadband service by limiting funding to areas where at least 90 percent of households lack access to broadband service;
• Enhance the participation of all types of broadband providers in the ReConnect Program by removing unnecessary barriers;
• Increase transparency by improving the challenge process in the ReConnect Program;
• Improve the coordination between USDA and the Federal Communications Commission on broadband programs; and
• Require USDA to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the FCC and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to facilitate outreach to rural residents and businesses of available federal programs that promote broadband access, broadband affordability, and broadband inclusion.