Congressman Josh Riley is pushing to close the digital divide in rural America with a new bipartisan bill aimed at expanding access to high-speed internet.
Riley announced Tuesday he’s sponsoring the ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025, which would provide $650 million a year in grants and loans for broadband projects in underserved areas.
Fast, affordable internet for rural towns
“High-speed internet is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity,” Riley said. “In too many rural towns, broadband is still unreliable or unaffordable. This bill makes sure Upstate New York can compete and thrive.”
The bill updates the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, permanently establishing the ReConnect program to fund broadband construction and upgrades in rural areas.
Key features of the legislation include:
- Faster speeds: Requires federally funded networks to deliver at least 100 Mbps upload and download speeds.
- Targeted support: Prioritizes areas where at least 75% of homes lack broadband, with added help for small towns, Tribal nations, and persistent poverty communities.
- Support for farmers: Expands access on cropland and ranchland to boost precision agriculture tools.
- Good jobs: Ensures broadband construction projects pay workers prevailing wages.
Part of a bigger push for rural infrastructure
The ReConnecting Rural America Act builds on Riley’s other rural initiatives:
- In August, he co-sponsored the Middle Mile for Rural America Act to reduce broadband costs and speed up deployment.
- In July, he co-led the ARRIP Act, unlocking $275 million annually to fix rural roads and bridges.
- Also in August, he co-sponsored the Rural Hospital Stabilization Act to deliver $500 million in emergency funding to struggling rural hospitals.
The broadband bill, introduced in April, has support from both sides of the aisle and is currently in committee review.
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