Skip to main content
H.R. 1672 117th Congress House

Connect America Act of 2021

Official title: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for the establishment of a program to expand access to broadband service, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 9, 2021 Introduced by: Peter Welch Democratic · Vermont See on congress.gov
Science, Technology, Communications Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCommunity life and organizationComputer security and identity theftEducational facilities and institutions
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Emergency planning and evacuationFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Government information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsHealth facilities and institutionsHigher educationIndian social and development programsInfrastructure developmentInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaLabor standardsLabor-management relationsLibraries and archivesPerformance measurementPoverty and welfare assistancePublic contracts and procurementPublic housingRoads and highwaysState and local government operationsTelecommunication rates and feesTelephone and wireless communicationVocational and technical education
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 10, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Mar 9, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Mar 9, 2021
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Latest action March 10, 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Connect America Act of 2021

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to establish a funding program to expand broadband access for unserved areas, areas with low-tier or mid-tier service, and unserved anchor institutions (e.g., schools or libraries). The program shall consist of both national systems of competitive bidding and grants of specified amounts to states.

An area with low-tier service is an area where at least 90% of the population has access to broadband service with speeds between 25-100 megabits per second (mbps). An area with mid-tier service is an area where at least 90% of the population has access to broadband service with speeds between 100 mbps and 1 gigabit per second.

Priority must be given to projects that would expand access to broadband service in areas where at least 90% of the population has no access to broadband service or to service with speeds of at least 25 mbps.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • HR 1783 Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
  • S 745 Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 6
All 6 Democratic 4
Eshoo, Anna
· Mar 10, 2021
 D
Barragán, Nanette Diaz
California · Mar 9, 2021
 D
Blunt Rochester, Lisa
Delaware · Mar 9, 2021
 D
Leger Fernandez, Teresa
New Mexico · Mar 9, 2021
McNerney, Jerry
· Mar 9, 2021
 D
Tonko, Paul
New York · Mar 9, 2021
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1672: Connect America Act of 2021. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-1672/
MLA
"H.R. 1672: Connect America Act of 2021." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-1672/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1672, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-1672/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1672: Connect America Act of 2021](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-1672/)
Report a problem