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  "description": "Proposes $96 million for rural broadband grants and loans in FY26.\n",
  "path": "/senate-approves-fy2026-usda-budget/",
  "publishedAt": "2025-08-06T21:56:45.000Z",
  "site": "https://broadbandbreakfast.com",
  "tags": [
    "_Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act_",
    "_****There's a whole community behind your FREE membership...****_",
    "There's a whole community behind your FREE membership...",
    "_in June_",
    "_sought to eliminate_",
    "_redundant_",
    "_on July 14_"
  ],
  "textContent": "WASHINGTON, August 6, 2025 – The Senate passed a $27.1 billion agriculture appropriations bill Friday in an 87-9 vote, proposing $96 million for rural broadband grants and loans in fiscal year 2026.\n\nThe Senate bill, passed before the chamber adjourned for its August recess, earmarks $40 million for telemedicine and distance learning services; $35 million for U.S. Department of Agriculture's ReConnect program; and $20 million for the Community Connect Grant Program in FY26.\n\nIntroduced by Sen. **John Hoeven** , R-N.D., on July 10, the bill, titled the _Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act_, establishes the USDA’s discretionary budget for the coming year, and funds the FDA and related rural development programs.\n\n\n\n_****There's a whole community behind your FREE membership...****_\n\n There's a whole community behind your FREE membership... \n\nThe bill’s $35 million allocation for ReConnect, which provides grants and loans to expand broadband service in rural areas, represents a major cut from the $90 million proposed by the House _in June_.\n\nStill, it’s more than the Trump administration proposed. The White House _sought to eliminate_ ReConnect funding entirely in FY26, calling the program _redundant_. The ReConnect program received $52 million in fiscal year 2025.\n\nThe Senate Appropriations Committee had previously advanced the discretionary spending bill by a 27-0 vote _on July 14_.\n\nThe House Appropriations Committee introduced its version in June, but it has not yet received a floor vote, leaving final broadband funding levels unresolved until both chambers advance matching legislation after the August recess.",
  "title": "Senate Approves FY2026 USDA Budget",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-11T05:48:09.660Z"
}