A bipartisan group of lawmakers is pushing to extend federal support for broadband infrastructure aimed at improving internet access in rural America.
U.S. Sens. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., introduced the Middle Mile for Rural America Act, legislation that would reauthorize a U.S. Department of Agriculture program supporting middle-mile broadband projects for another five years.
The bill proposes a reauthorization covering fiscal years 2026 through 2031, extending authority under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to fund middle-mile broadband infrastructure that connects rural communities to high-speed internet networks.
“If we’re going to ensure reliable, high-speed broadband service to people in rural areas, we must look at the whole, which includes critical middle-mile projects,” Hyde-Smith said. “This is a small, but significant U.S. Department of Agriculture program that fills a gap to help ensure reliable and affordable service for rural homes and businesses.”
Hyde-Smith said she expects the reauthorization to move forward, allowing electric cooperatives to continue broadband expansion efforts.
“I expect this reauthorization to be approved so that electric cooperatives, like those in Mississippi, can continue their work to expand broadband service,” she said.
Slotkin emphasized the role broadband access plays in rural economic participation and daily life.
“High-speed internet isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity,” Slotkin said. “By strengthening USDA support for targeted broadband projects, this bipartisan bill helps lower costs and bring reliable, high-speed internet to rural Michigan and communities across the country, so people can work, learn, and stay connected.”
The USDA’s Rural Utilities Service gained authority to support stand-alone middle-mile broadband projects under the 2018 Farm Bill. Prior to that change, middle-mile infrastructure could only be funded indirectly through last-mile broadband projects.
That expansion prompted 17 Mississippi electric cooperatives to collaborate on improving middle-mile infrastructure to increase resiliency and reduce costs associated with connecting unserved and underserved rural areas. Similar projects have been implemented in other states.
The legislation has received endorsements from the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation, and Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi.
“Middle mile broadband infrastructure is critical to connecting rural America with quality, high-speed internet access,” said Louis Finkel, senior vice president of government relations for NRECA. “However, access to these networks is not a guarantee, and without a middle mile connection the cost to build last mile infrastructure can increase and the quality and reliability of broadband service in rural areas could be impacted.”
Finkel praised the bipartisan effort behind the bill.
“We applaud Sens. Hyde-Smith and Slotkin’s leadership on the Middle Mile for Rural America Act and their recognition of this important infrastructure for rural connectivity,” he said.
Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House by Reps. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, and Josh Riley, D-N.Y.
If enacted, the Middle Mile for Rural America Act would amend Section 602(g) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 by replacing “2018 through 2023” with “2026 through 2031,” extending USDA’s authority to support middle-mile broadband infrastructure in rural communities.
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