Senate Bill Would Terminate USDA’s Community Connect Grant Program

Bill Would End USDA’s Community Connect Grant Program - Inside Towers

Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), introduced legislation to end the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Connect Grant program before Senators left Washington, D.C., last week. The Community Connect Program provides financial assistance to eligible applicants that will provide broadband service in rural, economically-challenged communities where service does not exist. While the bill text for S. 2610 is not yet available, Ernst says on her websit…

Senate Bill Would Terminate USDA’s Community Connect Grant Program

WASHINGTON, August 5, 2025 – Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, introduced a bill Thursday to terminate the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Connect Grant program in pursuit of her goal to “cut wasteful spending and make Washington squeal.”According to her website, Ernst’s “Make ‘Em Squeal” agenda aims to “make Washington more competent and less wasteful.” She has advocated for spending cuts across federal programs with the stated intention of e…