A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
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
The BUILD Act establishes a grant program for specific institutions of higher education to plan and implement development projects. These grants target institutions located in economically distressed communities. The program includes planning grants to create implementation plans and larger implementation grants to carry out specific projects. Eligible projects aim to spur economic and community development through various initiatives. The Secretary of Commerce oversees the distribution of these funds.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +6
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill focuses on economic revitalization in communities with significantly lower median family incomes.
- Scored +6
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill funds apprenticeships in local industries to decrease unemployment.
- Scored +6
Does this get reliable internet to more people?
The bill funds the building and maintenance of municipal broadband networks.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Economic and Community Revitalization: The bill provides funding for projects intended to spur economic development in distressed communities (Section 2(e)(1)).
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Improved Infrastructure and Housing: Grants can be used to renovate, construct, or maintain buildings, including commercial buildings, housing for students and community members, and facilities like libraries or laboratories (Section 2(e)(1)(A)).
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Support for Small Businesses: Institutions can establish programs that provide seed money to early-stage companies to assist with small business development (Section 2(e)(1)(B)).
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Job Creation and Training: The program allows for the development and funding of apprenticeships in local industries to help decrease unemployment (Section 2(e)(1)(C)).
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Improved Connectivity: Funds can be used to build and maintain municipal broadband networks and related infrastructure (Section 2(e)(1)(D)).
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Enhanced Healthcare Access: Projects may include building and maintaining health clinics accessible to the public and establishing programs at local clinics to educate and train healthcare professionals (Section s 2(e)(1)(E)-(F)).
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Educational Support: The bill enables partnerships between institutions and local school districts to provide graduate student teaching, administrative support, and access to facilities (Section 2(e)(1)(G)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Exclusion of Certain Institutions: Some higher education institutions are barred from participating, such as those established under the Morrill Act of 1862, service academies, or those with very high research activity status (Section 2(e)(2)).
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 households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill focuses on economic revitalization in communities with significantly lower median family incomes. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill targets non-metropolitan areas that meet specific distress criteria. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill targets metropolitan and micropolitan areas that meet specific distress criteria.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill funds apprenticeships in local industries to decrease unemployment. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill allows for seed money to be provided to early-stage companies for small business development.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill funds the building and maintenance of municipal broadband networks. Does this make it easier to use public money at a school other than the local one? — The bill facilitates partnerships between higher education institutions and local school districts.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill targets economic and community development in distressed communities to spur growth. Does this make housing cost less? — The bill permits funds for the construction or maintenance of housing for community members.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill funds the building and maintenance of health clinics accessible to the public.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The bill includes funding for municipal broadband networks which is a form of digital infrastructure.
- 2/17/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/1/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 10/21/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
April McClain DelaneyDemocrat · Maryland
Bruce WestermanRepublican · Arkansas