A Republican bill with 22 Republican cosponsors · See all 22 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "SPEED for BEAD Act," seeks to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It aims to improve the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program by redefining service standards and renaming the program to focus on expansion. The legislation changes how unused funds are handled and introduces new rules for project sizes and subgrants. It also implements several prohibitions on certain conditions for bidding and grants. Finally, it prohibits the regulation or mandating of broadband service rates.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +5
Does this get reliable internet to more people?
The bill aims to streamline and expand broadband deployment through gigabit-level standards.
- Scored +4
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill simplifies deployment rules and provides flexibility for subgrantees.
- Scored +3
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill facilitates expanded broadband deployment which often targets rural connectivity.
The opposite· 3 of 11
- Scored -8
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill specifically prohibits requirements for prevailing wages, project labor agreements, and union workforces.
- Scored -7
Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise?
The bill explicitly prohibits requirements related to union workforces, collective bargaining, and labor peace agreements.
- Scored -6
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill prohibits requirements related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in broadband deployment.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Service Standards: The bill defines "gigabit-level broadband service" as reliable service with download speeds of at least 1,000 megabits per second (Section 2(a)).
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Increased Flexibility for Subgrantees: It introduces a mechanism allowing prospective subgrantees to remove specific locations from a project area if those locations would unreasonably increase costs (Section 2(d)).
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Technology Neutrality: The bill ensures that any broadband service meeting specific performance criteria is treated as reliable, regardless of the type of technology used (Section 2(f)).
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Expanded Use of Funds: The legislation amends the use of funds to include telecommunications workforce development programs (Section 2(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Prohibition of Labor and Social Standards: The bill prevents the use of requirements related to prevailing wages, project labor agreements, union workforces, local hiring, or diversity, equity, and inclusion (Section 2(e)).
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Prohibition of Climate and Management Regulations: It prohibits requirements related to climate change or the regulation of network management practices, such as data caps (Section 2(e)).
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No Rate Regulation: The bill prohibits the Assistant Secretary, eligible entities, or any other authority from regulating, setting, or mandating the rates charged for broadband service, including capping or freezing rates (Section 2(g)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill simplifies deployment rules and provides flexibility for subgrantees. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill facilitates expanded broadband deployment which often targets rural connectivity. Would farmers be better off under this? — Expanded broadband deployment can assist in rural agricultural operations. Would students be better off under this? — Increased broadband access can improve educational opportunities. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill specifically prohibits requirements for prevailing wages, project labor agreements, and union workforces. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The removal of diversity and equity requirements may impact resource allocation in underserved communities. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The removal of diversity and equity requirements may impact resource allocation in underserved communities. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The removal of equity-focused requirements may affect tribal broadband initiatives. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The prohibition on rate regulation and the removal of social/equity standards may impact affordability for low-income users.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill expands the use of funds to include telecommunications workforce development. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Broadband expansion is intended to support economic connectivity. Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The bill explicitly prohibits requirements related to union workforces, collective bargaining, and labor peace agreements. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill prohibits the regulation of broadband rates and network management practices like data caps.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill prohibits requirements related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in broadband deployment.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill aims to expand broadband deployment which can benefit rural areas. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill prohibits requirements related to climate change in the broadband deployment process.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill limits federal authority to regulate or mandate broadband service rates.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill aims to streamline and expand broadband deployment through gigabit-level standards. Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — The bill restricts the ability to regulate broadband rates and network management practices.
- 1/7/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/14/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/7/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/31/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/10/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/5/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 14 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Rick AllenRepublican · Georgia
Gus BilirakisRepublican · Florida
Jack BergmanRepublican · Michigan
Kat CammackRepublican · Florida
Earl CarterRepublican · Georgia
Dan CrenshawRepublican · Texas
Neal DunnRepublican · Florida
Virginia FoxxRepublican · North Carolina
Russ FulcherRepublican · Idaho
Russell FryRepublican · South Carolina
Julie FedorchakRepublican · North Dakota
Craig GoldmanRepublican · Texas
Erin HouchinRepublican · Indiana
Pat HarriganRepublican · North Carolina
John JoyceRepublican · Pennsylvania
Robert LattaRepublican · Ohio
Mariannette Miller-MeeksRepublican · Iowa
Jay ObernolteRepublican · California
August PflugerRepublican · Texas
Robert WittmanRepublican · Virginia
Randy WeberRepublican · Texas
Roger WilliamsRepublican · Texas