WASHINGTON (October 22, 2021) – Chairman David Scott of Georgia and Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit Subcommittee Chair Antonio Delgado released the following statement renewing their commitment to broadband goals ahead of the USDA’s announcement regarding the next round of Reconnect loans and grants.

“I am pleased that this next round of ReConnect loans and grants will be dispersed in order to continue to support the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas.” said Chairman David Scott.

Chairman David Scott added, “As the nation continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and works to build back better, providing our rural communities with adequate resources to achieve reliable and affordable broadband and ultimately reach 100% nationwide coverage must be a priority. The ReConnect program will move us closer to this reality. The Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act (BICRAA) will also play a critical role and invest billions of additional dollars in helping us to reach this goal and will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure its passage.”

“As always, I look forward to working alongside the USDA and Secretary Vilsack to make nationwide affordable and reliable broadband access a reality for all of rural America.” Chairman David Scott continued.

"Funds from the ReConnect program will help communities in upstate New York and across the United States deliver broadband," said Chair Delgado.

Chair Delgado added, "We must continue to invest in infrastructure to secure high-speed internet for our families, small businesses, farmers, schools, and more. The House Agriculture Committee will continue to do all that we can to, in partnership with the USDA, bring broadband to rural America.”