Riley Sponsors Bipartisan Bill to Expand Rural Broadband Access

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Josh Riley (NY-19) today announced he has sponsored the ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025 (H.R. 3119), bipartisan legislation to expand affordable, high-speed internet access in rural and underserved communities. The bill amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to establish a permanent ReConnect program to fund rural broadband deployment.

“High-speed internet is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity for farmers, small businesses, students, and families across Upstate New York,” said Rep. Riley. “In too many of our rural towns, broadband is still unreliable or unaffordable. That leaves kids cut off from homework, farmers cut off from precision ag tools, and businesses cut off from customers. This bipartisan bill closes that digital divide and makes sure Upstate New York can compete and thrive.”

The ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025 will:

Expand access. Provide $650 million annually through grants and loans for broadband construction and upgrades in rural areas.

Raise standards. Require networks built with federal funds to deliver at least 100 Mbps upload and download speeds, ensuring families get real high-speed service.

Prioritize underserved areas. Target funding for communities where at least 75% of households lack reliable broadband, with special support for small towns, Tribal nations, persistent poverty counties, and socially vulnerable communities.

Support farmers and workers. Expand broadband on cropland and ranchland to boost precision agriculture, while ensuring construction jobs pay prevailing wages.

The ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025 expands upon Riley’s work to ensure every Upstate community has access to affordable, high-speed internet and reliable infrastructure.

• Riley cosponsored the Middle Mile for Rural America Act to extend a key program, which helps lower costs and accelerate last-mile internet deployment to homes and farms. August 2025
• He co-led the Agricultural & Rural Road Improvement Program (ARRIP) to unlock $275 million annually in federal funds to repair rural roads and bridges critical to farmers. July 2025
• Riley cosponsored the Rural Hospital Stabilization Act to provide $500 million in emergency support to rural hospitals struggling with funding cuts. August 2025

###