119th Congress

H.R. 5037

Middle Mile for Rural America Act

Introduced
In committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law

Sponsor: Randy Feenstra(R-IA)
Introduced: Aug 26, 2025
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Committees: House Committee on Agriculture; House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Official text: Introduced in House · Congress.gov page

Cosponsors (10)

Original cosponsors (2)

Barry Moore (R-AL)
Josh Riley (D-NY)

Added later (8)

Alma S. Adams (D-NC) · Sep 2, 2025
James P. McGovern (D-MA) · Sep 2, 2025
Tony Wied (R-WI) · Sep 4, 2025
James R. Baird (R-IN) · Sep 8, 2025
Jahana Hayes (D-CT) · Sep 9, 2025
Don Bacon (R-NE) · Sep 30, 2025
Eugene Simon Vindman (D-VA) · Oct 3, 2025
Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) · Dec 18, 2025

Summary

Summary by the Congressional Research Service· describes the “Introduced in House” version

Middle Mile for Rural America Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2031 a Department of Agriculture program to support middle mile broadband infrastructure in rural areas. Under the program, middle mile infrastructure is broadband infrastructure that does not connect directly to end users (including anchor institutions) and may include interoffice transport, backhaul, internet connectivity, data centers, or special access transport to rural areas. The program provides grants, loans, and loan guarantees for middle mile projects in rural areas. It was established in 2018 but has not been funded.

Roll-call votes

No recorded votes on this bill.

Actions

Jan 13, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
Aug 26, 2025 · House
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.
Aug 26, 2025
Introduced in House