Houses Passes Bill to Expand Broadband in Rural Appalachia

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2026 – The House passed on Tuesday the Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act, which seeks to develop satellite broadband service and economic development in rural communities across 13 states.

Introduced by Rep. Dave Taylor , R-Ohio, H.R.2474 would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate whether the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) can incorporate satellite access into its broadband initiatives and infrastructure grant programs.

With rural Appalachia spanning across 13 states, the bill aims to support businesses by assessing the capacity and cost-effectiveness of satellite broadband. While the ARC has historically prioritized fiber-optic infrastructure for rural Appalachian broadband grants, Taylor noted that the region’s mountainous topography has made expanding fiber difficult and expensive. He said this has limited rural communities from greater economic development and new technology.

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