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Bill

HR 6067

Tribal Internet Expansion Act of 2025

119th Congress Introduced by Raul Ruiz

Provides federal funding and support to expand broadband internet infrastructure to tribal lands, addressing digital access disparities in Native American communities.

Introduced in House
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 6067

Legislative bill overview

HR 6067, the Tribal Internet Expansion Act of 2025, establishes federal funding and support mechanisms to expand broadband internet access to Native American tribal lands and communities. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Raul Ruiz, was introduced in November 2025 and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for consideration.

Why is this important

Tribal communities face a significant digital divide, with broadband access rates substantially lower than national averages, limiting educational, economic, and healthcare opportunities. Addressing this gap could improve economic development, distance learning capabilities, telehealth services, and competitive positioning for tribal enterprises. Federal investment in tribal broadband infrastructure represents both infrastructure modernization and a recognition of ongoing federal trust responsibilities to Native nations.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanisms and amounts – Unclear whether proposed funding levels adequately address the infrastructure costs for geographically dispersed tribal territories
  • Tribal sovereignty and project control – Debate over whether tribes have decision-making authority over broadband projects on their lands versus federal agency oversight
  • Sustainability and maintenance – Questions about long-term operational funding and whether one-time federal grants create maintenance burdens tribes cannot sustain independently
  • Coordination with existing programs – Potential overlap or conflicts with other federal broadband initiatives (FCC, USDA, BIA) and unclear division of responsibilities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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