April McClain Delaney (D-MD)
Broadband Deployment and Economic Impact Study Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 8 Democratic cosponsors · See all 8 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 is called the Broadband Deployment and Economic Impact Study Act of 2026. It directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to study various technologies used to provide broadband internet access. The study will look at workforce needs, economics, geography, performance, equipment lifespan, and consumer costs. The Assistant Secretary must submit a report with these findings to Congress within one year of the act's enactment.
Yes· 3 of 18
- Scored +4
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Focus on satellite and wireless technologies is highly beneficial for rural connectivity.
- Scored +4
Does this get reliable internet to more people?
The act directs a comprehensive study on broadband technologies to optimize deployment and access.
- Scored +3
Would farmers be better off under this?
Rural broadband analysis directly impacts farming operations and connectivity.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Consumer Cost Analysis: Section 2(a)(1)(F) requires a study on the cost of monthly subscriptions and equipment, which provides transparency on what consumers pay.
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Performance Data: Section 2(a)(1)(D) requires an analysis of latency, capacity, and upload and download speeds, helping to identify which technologies provide the best service.
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Technology Range: Section 2(a)(2) ensures a wide variety of options are studied, including fiber-optic, cable, DSL, wireless, and satellite (both low-earth and geostationary), which covers different needs and locations.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for individuals or groups are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
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 people in rural areas be better off under this? — Focus on satellite and wireless technologies is highly beneficial for rural connectivity. Would farmers be better off under this? — Rural broadband analysis directly impacts farming operations and connectivity. Would business owners be better off under this? — Information on the economics of deployment can help businesses plan infrastructure. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Analyzing subscription costs may lead to policies that lower costs for low-income users. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Study of satellite and wireless technologies can specifically help remote tribal lands. Would students be better off under this? — Better broadband access and cost analysis benefit student learning. Would children be better off under this? — Potential improvement in internet access for educational purposes. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Potential improvement in internet access for work. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Increased transparency on broadband costs benefits middle-class consumers. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Potential improvement in internet access for communication and health. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Performance analysis of fiber and cable benefits dense urban areas. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Potential improvement in internet access for work and education.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The act directs a comprehensive study on broadband technologies to optimize deployment and access.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The study analyzes consumer costs for subscriptions and equipment, increasing price transparency. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Data from the study may inform more efficient broadband deployment, potentially boosting economic activity.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The study specifically analyzes technologies for varying geographies, including satellite and wireless, which are critical for rural areas.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires a public report to Congress on broadband economics and consumer costs. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill mandates the Assistant Secretary of Commerce to conduct a study, slightly increasing federal oversight/activity in broadband analysis.
- 7/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/11/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Donald BeyerDemocrat · Virginia
James ClyburnDemocrat · South Carolina
Ed CaseDemocrat · Hawaii
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Cleo FieldsDemocrat · Louisiana
Shomari FiguresDemocrat · Alabama
Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
Bennie ThompsonDemocrat · Mississippi