Streamlining Rural Broadband Act of 2025

Bill: 119-s-2610
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
Introduced: 2025-07-31
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Latest action: action_date: 2025-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Summaries:

tv_txt: II 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2610 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 31, 2025 Ms. Ernst introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry A BILL To terminate the Community Connect Grant program of the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Streamlining Rural Broadband Act of 2025 . 2. Repeal of Community Connect Grant program (a) In general Section 604 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 ( 7 U.S.C. 950bb–3 ) is repealed. (b) Conforming amendments (1) Office of internet connectivity and growth Section 903(g)(4)(B) of division FF of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 ( 47 U.S.C. 1307(g)(4)(B) ), is amended by striking the Community Connect Grant Program established under section 604 of that Act ( 7 U.S.C. 950bb–3 ), . (2) Grants for broadband connectivity Section 905(d)(3)(D)(ii)(I) of division N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 ( 47 U.S.C. 1705(d)(3)(D)(ii)(I) ), is amended— (A) in item (aa), by striking ; and and inserting ; or ; (B) by striking item (bb); and (C) by striking including— in the matter preceding item (aa) and all that follows through any program in item (aa) and inserting including any program . 3. Availability of funds Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there shall be available to the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out the broadband loan and grant pilot program known as the ReConnect Program authorized under section 779 of division A of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 ( Public Law 115–141 ; 132 Stat. 399), without further appropriation, the unobligated balances of amounts available on the date of enactment of this Act to carry out the Community Connect Grant program under section 604 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 ( 7 U.S.C. 950bb–3 ) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act).