The Senate approved $10.8 million for rural assistance programs to help the rural poor, including $7.9 million for road, bridge and trail construction projects and $7 million for technology, communications, and technical assistance.
The Senate also approved $2.8 billion for states to support low-income rural residents, including a $4.5 billion program to help low-cost, low-welfare residents get access to housing and education, according to the Associated Press.