Prioritizing Rural Broadband Affordability Act

April McClain Delaney

Democrat · MD · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Robert P. Bresnahan, Jr. (R-PA-8)Original· 2026-03-27
• Josh Riley (D-NY-19)· 2026-04-02
• Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1)· 2026-04-09

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

2026-03-27

Source: Congress.gov

This bill would help make high-speed internet more affordable for people living in rural areas by providing funding or incentives to reduce broadband costs in communities that currently lack reliable or affordable internet access. The legislation aims to address the digital divide between rural and urban America, helping rural residents access online services for work, education, and healthcare. It would affect rural families, farmers, small businesses, and internet service providers operating in less populated regions.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8147 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8147 To require service affordability to be considered in awarding grants under rural broadband programs administered by the Department of Agriculture. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 27, 2026 Mrs. McClain Delaney (for herself and Mr. Bresnahan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To require service affordability to be considered in awarding grants under rural broadband programs administered by the Department of Agriculture. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Prioritizing Rural Broadband Affordability Act''. SEC. 2. AFFORDABILITY. Section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb) is amended-- (1) in subsection (c)(2), by adding at the end the following: ``(C) Affordability.--In determining whether a household is unserved for purposes of this section, the Secretary shall consider the affordability of broadband service.''; and (2) in subsection (d)(2), by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the following: ``(C) Affordability.--In determining whether a proposed service territory is unserved for purposes of subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consider the affordability of broadband service in the service territory.''. SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act. <all>

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