Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
Middle Mile for Rural America Act
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
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 "Middle Mile for Rural America Act," seeks to amend the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. The primary purpose is to reauthorize the expansion of middle mile infrastructure into rural areas. It achieves this by updating specific timeframes within the existing law. Specifically, it changes the dates in Section 602(g) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +6
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill's primary impact is to provide improved infrastructure and connectivity for people living in rural areas.
- Scored +6
Does this get reliable internet to more people?
The bill reauthorizes the expansion of middle mile infrastructure to increase reliable internet access in rural areas.
- Scored +5
Does this invest in rural communities?
The bill specifically expands middle mile infrastructure to enhance the digital and economic connectivity of rural communities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Infrastructure Expansion: The bill reauthorizes the expansion of middle mile infrastructure into rural areas, which could benefit people living in those locations (Section 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 people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill's primary impact is to provide improved infrastructure and connectivity for people living in rural areas. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Expanded infrastructure access can help bridge the digital divide for lower-income rural residents. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Expanding broadband infrastructure can benefit many Native American communities located in rural areas. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Increased internet access provides better opportunities for education and remote work for younger residents in rural areas.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Improved broadband connectivity through middle mile expansion supports the operational capacity of rural small businesses. Is this likely to create jobs? — The reauthorization of middle mile infrastructure expansion is likely to stimulate job creation in the construction and telecommunications sectors.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill reauthorizes the expansion of middle mile infrastructure to increase reliable internet access in rural areas.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill specifically expands middle mile infrastructure to enhance the digital and economic connectivity of rural communities.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Increasing access to digital infrastructure can aid in poverty reduction by providing better access to job opportunities and remote services.
- 1/14/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat · Michigan