Congressman Taylor introduces bill to help rural communities navigate broadband expansion programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Dave Taylor (OH-02) and Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) today introduced the Rural Broadband Assistance Act, which would codify the Broadband Technical Assistance Program to help rural communities access broadband funds available to them through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

The Broadband Technical Assistance Program, which was established in 2021 to provide grants to local governments, non-profits, land grant universities, Tribes, and businesses for technical assistance in accessing existing broadband programs. This additional support will guide rural communities through the process of preparing applications, identifying resources to finance broadband expansion, preparing reports and surveys necessary to support broadband development, and more.
 
USDA broadband programs are primarily focused on developing fiber optic internet throughout rural America, and yet in the history of the programs, these funds have largely bypassed the state of Ohio, including its Second Congressional District. This oversight serves as an impetus for the introduction of the Rural Broadband Assistance Act, which will provide rural communities with additional guidance to increase their participation in broadband programs.
 
“Just because broadband expansion programs exist for rural communities like ours in Southern Ohio doesn’t mean they’re easy to navigate,” said Congressman Taylor. “In many small communities where local governments don’t have dedicated grant writers, assistance with the application process could make the difference between future internet connectivity or none at all, carrying with it massive economic implications. Rural areas have been left behind in the internet connectivity conversation, and I’m leading the charge in Congress to use every available channel to finally deliver broadband to our rural communities.” 
 
"In so many rural Illinois hometowns, our neighbors just need a little help getting started with broadband,” Congressman Sorensen said. “This bill makes it easier for small towns to get the support they need to apply for funding and get connected — without new spending. It's about making sure every community has a fair shot at staying connected and bringing reliable internet to boost our economy." 
 
“Counties are on the front lines of expanding high-speed internet access in rural America,” said National Association of Counties Executive Director Matthew Chase. “The Rural Broadband Assistance Act provides counties with critical tools and technical support to help close the digital divide in our nation’s rural communities. Counties thank Congressman Taylor for his leadership and urge swift congressional action to advance this legislation.”
 
“Without access to broadband, communities are at a major disadvantage for funding opportunities and basic information. We see this all too often in the rural communities where we live and work,” said Olga Morales-Pate, CEO of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership. “That’s why we are glad to support Representative Taylor’s bill to assist local governments, land grant universities, Tribes, non-profits, and others in promoting broadband expansion in rural areas.”
 
Multiple organizations have voiced their support for the Rural Broadband Assistance Act, including the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the Rural Broadband Association (NTCA), and the National Association of Counties (NACo). 
 
The text of this bill is available here: https://taylor.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/taylor.house.gov/files/evo-…
 
Background:
 
Congressman Taylor has already introduced two other broadband-related bills in the 119th Congress, making the Rural Broadband Assistance Act his third since being sworn into office on January 3, 2025. He introduced the Expanding Appalachia's Broadband Access Act on March 27, 2025, which aims to increase broadband access in rural areas by facilitating a study from the U.S. Government Accountability Office studying the capabilities of low-orbit satellites. These satellites would be operated under the purview of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), with the study assessing their ability to meet the service needs of businesses in rural areas.
 
On April 8, 2025, Congressman Taylor introduced the Bridging the Broadband Gap Act of 2025, which will prioritize the affordability and expansion of broadband to rural communities through satellite and fixed-wireless broadband. This bill will allow states to use funds from the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program to pay for 50% of the initial cost of a satellite or fixed wireless receiver and $30 for each monthly bill for the first year of services.
 
Specifically, this bill will amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to authorize recipients of funds under the BEAD program to provide broadband vouchers to households in specific locations, using previously allocated federal funds. It will additionally give service priority to counties in the bottom 50% of a state’s per capita income. In Ohio’s Second Congressional District, thirteen of its sixteen counties are among the bottom 50% of Ohio’s lowest per capita income areas, meaning the Bridging the Broadband Gap Act of 2025 would directly prioritize Southern Ohio and the rural residents who need internet connectivity the most.

Congressman David Taylor represents Ohio’s Second Congressional District which includes Clermont, Clinton, Pike, Adams, Brown, Highland, Ross, Scioto, Pickaway, Hocking, Vinton, Jackson, Lawrence, Gallia, and Meigs counties, as well as part of Fayette County. Taylor serves on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Agriculture Committee. Prior to serving in Congress, Taylor worked as an assistant prosecutor for Clermont County before joining his family’s concrete business, where he ultimately served as president. Please visit taylor.house.gov for more information.