This proposal would expand high-speed internet in rural communities by giving grants and loans to build or upgrade networks. Projects must offer at least 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload, and they can only go to areas where at least 75% of homes still lack access to 100/20 service. Priority goes to places with the greatest need (90% without 100/20), small or isolated towns, areas losing population, and communities with many low‑income families. Projects that commit to paying local prevailing wages and that help farmers use precision agriculture also get priority. Some grant‑only awards are reserved for Tribal organizations, colonias, persistent‑poverty counties, and socially vulnerable communities, or for areas where 90% of homes lack 100/20 service.

Who can apply includes states, local governments, Tribes, co‑ops, and companies; individuals and general partnerships cannot. Winners must finish buildout within 5 years and take part in a federal internet affordability program like the Affordable Connectivity Program or Lifeline (or a successor) . The program can require up to a 25% cost share, with waivers for the hardest‑hit groups, and sets aside 3–5% of funds for technical help and training. To avoid waste, no single large provider or state can receive more than 15% of yearly funds, and the program generally avoids building over other government‑funded networks unless those networks fail to deliver at least 100/20 to most homes in the area. The program’s speed standards must be reviewed at least every two years to keep up with technology, and the minimum level for rural service is set at 100/100.

• Who is affected: Rural households and small towns; Tribes; high‑poverty or socially vulnerable communities; farmers using precision agriculture; and a wide range of providers (states, co‑ops, and companies) .
• What changes: Grants/loans for rural builds; must deliver at least 100/100; affordability program participation; caps to prevent any one provider or state from taking too much; guardrails to avoid overbuilding existing government‑funded networks; 3–5% for technical help; possible cost share up to 25% with waivers for hardest‑hit areas .
• When: Authorizes $650 million per year for 2026–2030 for grants and grant/loan combos, plus $350 million per year for direct loans; awards end after September 30, 2030. It moves leftover funds from a 2018 rural broadband program into this one and ends that older program 120 days after this becomes law.