Sen. Thune and Sen. Lujan Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Speed Up Rural High-Speed Internet Projects
The Accelerating Broadband Permits Act of 2026 is currently in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for review. It was recently introduced and is waiting for the committee to decide on its next steps. The bill is actively moving through the early stages of the legislative process.
This bill has support from both parties and addresses a common complaint about slow government permits. However, many bills struggle to get a final vote during busy legislative sessions.
This bill’s path across every version that has carried it.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
Federal workers at agencies that process broadband-related permit applications would face new data tracking requirements and automated alerts when they are at risk of missing the 270-day processing deadline. This adds accountability and potentially workload, though it also provides better tools to manage their caseload.
“the Assistant Secretary shall establish a method to alert employees of an executive agency to any application described in subparagraph (A) with respect to which the executive agency is at risk of failing to meet the 270-day deadline”
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text: CR S2173)
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Accelerating Broadband Permits Act of 2026
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.