HR 261 · 119th Congresscongress.gov ↗

Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025

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What this bill does

AI plain-language summary

This bill stops the Department of Commerce from requiring special permits for work on undersea fiber optic cables — like installing, fixing, or maintaining them — inside national marine sanctuaries, as long as another state or federal agency has already given permission for that work. It also allows Commerce to have the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) work with other federal agencies when cable-related activities might damage resources in a national marine sanctuary.

Sponsor

Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]

R

Introduced

January 9, 2025

Your Vote

Yes (73%)No (27%)

26 users nationwide

How Representatives Voted· Feb 11, 2026

Fields, CleoLA-6 · D
NO
Figures, ShomariAL-2 · D
NO
Landsman, GregOH-1 · D
NO
Aguilar, PeteCA-33 · D
NO
Larsen, RickWA-2 · D
NO
Larson, John B.CT-1 · D
NO
Latimer, GeorgeNY-16 · D
NO
Cisneros, Gilbert RayCA-31 · D
NO
Clark, Katherine M.MA-5 · D
NO
Clarke, Yvette D.NY-9 · D
NO
Lee, SusieNV-3 · D
NO
Lee, Summer L.PA-12 · D
NO
Leger Fernandez, TeresaNM-3 · D
NO
Cleaver, EmanuelMO-5 · D
NO
Levin, MikeCA-49 · D
NO
Liccardo, Sam T.CA-16 · D
NO
Lieu, TedCA-36 · D
NO
Lofgren, ZoeCA-18 · D
NO
Boyle, Brendan F.PA-2 · D
NO
Fletcher, LizzieTX-7 · D
NO
Bera, AmiCA-6 · D
NO
Clyburn, James E.SC-6 · D
NO
Lynch, Stephen F.MA-8 · D
NO
Foster, BillIL-11 · D
NO
Foushee, Valerie P.NC-4 · D
NO
Magaziner, SethRI-2 · D
NO
Barragán, Nanette DiazCA-44 · D
NO
Frankel, LoisFL-22 · D
NO
Cohen, SteveTN-9 · D
NO
Mannion, John W.NY-22 · D
NO
Friedman, LauraCA-30 · D
NO
Frost, MaxwellFL-10 · D
NO
Matsui, Doris O.CA-7 · D
NO
McBath, LucyGA-6 · D
NO
Brown, Shontel M.OH-11 · D
NO
Brownley, JuliaCA-26 · D
NO
McClain Delaney, AprilMD-6 · D
NO
McClellan, Jennifer L.VA-4 · D
NO
Garamendi, JohnCA-8 · D
NO
McCollum, BettyMN-4 · D
NO
Beyer, Donald S.VA-8 · D
NO
McDonald Rivet, KristenMI-8 · D
NO
Garcia, RobertCA-42 · D
NO
McGarvey, MorganKY-3 · D
NO
McGovern, James P.MA-2 · D
NO
García, Jesús G. "Chuy"IL-4 · D
NO
McIver, LaMonicaNJ-10 · D
NO
Meeks, Gregory W.NY-5 · D
NO
Menefee, Christian D.TX-18 · D
NO
Menendez, RobertNJ-8 · D
NO
Meng, GraceNY-6 · D
NO
Garcia, Sylvia R.TX-29 · D
NO
Conaway, Herbert C.NJ-3 · D
NO
Mfume, KweisiMD-7 · D
NO
Gillen, LauraNY-4 · D
NO
Correa, J. LuisCA-46 · D
NO
Golden, Jared F.ME-2 · D
NO
Goldman, Daniel S.NY-10 · D
NO
Costa, JimCA-21 · D
YES
Min, DaveCA-47 · D
NO
Gomez, JimmyCA-34 · D
NO
Courtney, JoeCT-2 · D
NO
Gonzalez, VicenteTX-34 · D
NO
Craig, AngieMN-2 · D
NO
Moore, GwenWI-4 · D
NO
Goodlander, MaggieNH-2 · D
NO
Budzinski, NikkiIL-13 · D
NO
Morelle, Joseph D.NY-25 · D
NO
Morrison, KellyMN-3 · D
NO
Moskowitz, JaredFL-23 · D
NO
Moulton, SethMA-6 · D
NO
Mrvan, Frank J.IN-1 · D
NO
Mullin, KevinCA-15 · D
NO
Gottheimer, JoshNJ-5 · D
YES
Nadler, JerroldNY-12 · D
NO
Neal, Richard E.MA-1 · D
NO
Neguse, JoeCO-2 · D
NO
Ansari, YassaminAZ-3 · D
NO
Gray, AdamCA-13 · D
YES
Norcross, DonaldNJ-1 · D
NO
Green, AlTX-9 · D
NO
Amo, GabeRI-1 · D
NO
Grijalva, Adelita S.AZ-7 · D
NO
Ocasio-Cortez, AlexandriaNY-14 · D
NO
Bynum, Janelle S.OR-5 · D
NO
Olszewski, JohnnyMD-2 · D
NO
Omar, IlhanMN-5 · D
NO
Crockett, JasmineTX-30 · D
NO
Crow, JasonCO-6 · D
NO
Pallone, FrankNJ-6 · D
NO
Cuellar, HenryTX-28 · D
NO
Panetta, JimmyCA-19 · D
NO
Pappas, ChrisNH-1 · D
NO
Harder, JoshCA-9 · D
NO
Pelosi, NancyCA-11 · D
NO
Perez, Marie GluesenkampWA-3 · D
NO
Davids, ShariceKS-3 · D
NO
Peters, Scott H.CA-50 · D
NO
Pettersen, BrittanyCO-7 · D
NO
Auchincloss, JakeMA-4 · D
NO
Pingree, ChellieME-1 · D
NO
Pocan, MarkWI-2 · D
NO
Pou, NellieNJ-9 · D
NO
Pressley, AyannaMA-7 · D
NO
Quigley, MikeIL-5 · D
NO
Ramirez, Delia C.IL-3 · D
NO
Randall, EmilyWA-6 · D
NO
Raskin, JamieMD-8 · D
NO
Davis, Danny K.IL-7 · D
NO
Riley, JoshNY-19 · D
NO
Rivas, Luz M.CA-29 · D
NO
Davis, Donald G.NC-1 · D
NO
Beatty, JoyceOH-3 · D
NO
Hayes, JahanaCT-5 · D
NO
Ross, Deborah K.NC-2 · D
NO
Dean, MadeleinePA-4 · D
NO
DeGette, DianaCO-1 · D
NO
Ruiz, RaulCA-25 · D
NO
DeLauro, Rosa L.CT-3 · D
NO
Himes, James A.CT-4 · D
NO
Ryan, PatrickNY-18 · D
NO
DelBene, Suzan K.WA-1 · D
NO
Salinas, AndreaOR-6 · D
NO
Sánchez, Linda T.CA-38 · D
NO
Horsford, StevenNV-4 · D
NO
Scanlon, Mary GayPA-5 · D
NO
Schakowsky, Janice D.IL-9 · D
NO
Deluzio, Christopher R.PA-17 · D
NO
Schneider, Bradley ScottIL-10 · D
NO
Scholten, Hillary J.MI-3 · D
NO
Schrier, KimWA-8 · D
NO
Houlahan, ChrissyPA-6 · D
NO
Scott, Robert C. "Bobby"VA-3 · D
NO
Hoyer, Steny H.MD-5 · D
NO
Scott, DavidGA-13 · D
NO
Hoyle, Val T.OR-4 · D
NO
DeSaulnier, MarkCA-10 · D
NO
Sewell, Terri A.AL-7 · D
NO
Sherman, BradCA-32 · D
NO
Huffman, JaredCA-2 · D
NO
Simon, LateefahCA-12 · D
NO
Carbajal, Salud O.CA-24 · D
NO
Dexter, MaxineOR-3 · D
NO
Bishop, Sanford D.GA-2 · D
NO
Dingell, DebbieMI-6 · D
NO
Smith, AdamWA-9 · D
NO
Ivey, GlennMD-4 · D
NO
Sorensen, EricIL-17 · D
NO
Soto, DarrenFL-9 · D
NO
Doggett, LloydTX-37 · D
NO
Stansbury, Melanie A.NM-1 · D
NO
Stanton, GregAZ-4 · D
NO
Jackson, Jonathan L.IL-1 · D
NO
Carson, AndréIN-7 · D
NO
Jacobs, SaraCA-51 · D
NO
Bell, WesleyMO-1 · D
NO
Stevens, Haley M.MI-11 · D
NO
Strickland, MarilynWA-10 · D
NO
Jayapal, PramilaWA-7 · D
NO
Jeffries, Hakeem S.NY-8 · D
NO
Subramanyam, SuhasVA-10 · D
NO
Suozzi, Thomas R.NY-3 · D
NO
Swalwell, EricCA-14 · D
NO
Sykes, Emilia StrongOH-13 · D
NO
Takano, MarkCA-39 · D
NO
Johnson, Henry C. "Hank"GA-4 · D
NO
Carter, Troy A.LA-2 · D
NO
Thanedar, ShriMI-13 · D
NO
Thompson, MikeCA-4 · D
NO
Thompson, Bennie G.MS-2 · D
NO
Johnson, JulieTX-32 · D
NO
Bonamici, SuzanneOR-1 · D
NO
Elfreth, SarahMD-3 · D
NO
Titus, DinaNV-1 · D
NO
Tlaib, RashidaMI-12 · D
NO
Tokuda, Jill N.HI-2 · D
NO
Tonko, PaulNY-20 · D
NO
Torres, Norma J.CA-35 · D
NO
Torres, RitchieNY-15 · D
NO
Trahan, LoriMA-3 · D
NO
Tran, DerekCA-45 · D
NO
Casar, GregTX-35 · D
NO
Underwood, LaurenIL-14 · D
NO
Kamlager-Dove, SydneyCA-37 · D
NO
Kaptur, MarcyOH-9 · D
NO
Case, EdHI-1 · D
NO
Keating, William R.MA-9 · D
NO
Kelly, Robin L.IL-2 · D
NO
Vargas, JuanCA-52 · D
NO
Vasquez, GabeNM-2 · D
NO
Veasey, Marc A.TX-33 · D
NO
Velázquez, Nydia M.NY-7 · D
NO
Vindman, Eugene SimonVA-7 · D
NO
Escobar, VeronicaTX-16 · D
NO
Espaillat, AdrianoNY-13 · D
NO
Walkinshaw, James R.VA-11 · D
NO
Wasserman Schultz, DebbieFL-25 · D
NO
Waters, MaxineCA-43 · D
NO
Watson Coleman, BonnieNJ-12 · D
NO
Kennedy, Timothy M.NY-26 · D
NO
Casten, SeanIL-6 · D
NO
Khanna, RoCA-17 · D
NO
Whitesides, GeorgeCA-27 · D
NO
Castor, KathyFL-14 · D
NO
Williams, NikemaGA-5 · D
NO
Evans, DwightPA-3 · D
NO
Wilson, Frederica S.FL-24 · D
NO
Castro, JoaquinTX-20 · D
NO
Cherfilus-McCormick, SheilaFL-20 · D
NO
Krishnamoorthi, RajaIL-8 · D
NO
Chu, JudyCA-28 · D
NO
Adams, Alma S.NC-12 · D
NO
Womack, SteveAR-3 · R
YES
Yakym, RudyIN-2 · R
YES
Zinke, Ryan K.MT-1 · R
YES
Aderholt, Robert B.AL-4 · R
YES
Alford, MarkMO-4 · R
YES
Allen, Rick W.GA-12 · R
NOT VOTING
Amodei, Mark E.NV-2 · R
YES
Arrington, Jodey C.TX-19 · R
YES
Babin, BrianTX-36 · R
YES
Bacon, DonNE-2 · R
YES
Baird, James R.IN-4 · R
YES
Balderson, TroyOH-12 · R
YES
Barr, AndyKY-6 · R
YES
Barrett, TomMI-7 · R
YES
Baumgartner, MichaelWA-5 · R
YES
Bean, AaronFL-4 · R
YES
Bentz, CliffOR-2 · R
YES
Bergman, JackMI-1 · R
YES
Bice, Stephanie I.OK-5 · R
YES
Biggs, AndyAZ-5 · R
YES
Biggs, SheriSC-3 · R
YES
Bilirakis, Gus M.FL-12 · R
YES
Boebert, LaurenCO-4 · R
YES
Bost, MikeIL-12 · R
YES
Brecheen, JoshOK-2 · R
YES
Bresnahan, Robert P.PA-8 · R
YES
Buchanan, VernFL-16 · R
YES
Burchett, TimTN-2 · R
YES
Burlison, EricMO-7 · R
YES
Calvert, KenCA-41 · R
YES
Cammack, KatFL-3 · R
YES
Carey, MikeOH-15 · R
YES
Carter, Earl L. "Buddy"GA-1 · R
YES
Carter, John R.TX-31 · R
YES
Ciscomani, JuanAZ-6 · R
YES
Cline, BenVA-6 · R
YES
Cloud, MichaelTX-27 · R
YES
Clyde, Andrew S.GA-9 · R
YES
Cole, TomOK-4 · R
YES
Collins, MikeGA-10 · R
YES
Comer, JamesKY-1 · R
YES
Crane, ElijahAZ-2 · R
YES
Crank, JeffCO-5 · R
YES
Crawford, Eric A. "Rick"AR-1 · R
YES
Crenshaw, DanTX-2 · R
YES
Davidson, WarrenOH-8 · R
YES
De La Cruz, MonicaTX-15 · R
YES
DesJarlais, ScottTN-4 · R
YES
Diaz-Balart, MarioFL-26 · R
YES
Donalds, ByronFL-19 · R
YES
Downing, TroyMT-2 · R
YES
Dunn, Neal P.FL-2 · R
YES
Edwards, ChuckNC-11 · R
YES
Ellzey, JakeTX-6 · R
YES
Emmer, TomMN-6 · R
YES
Estes, RonKS-4 · R
YES
Evans, GabeCO-8 · R
YES
Ezell, MikeMS-4 · R
YES
Fallon, PatTX-4 · R
YES
Feenstra, RandyIA-4 · R
YES
Fine, RandyFL-6 · R
YES
Finstad, BradMN-1 · R
YES
Fischbach, MichelleMN-7 · R
YES
Fitzgerald, ScottWI-5 · R
YES
Fitzpatrick, Brian K.PA-1 · R
NO
Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck"TN-3 · R
YES
Flood, MikeNE-1 · R
YES
Fong, VinceCA-20 · R
YES
Foxx, VirginiaNC-5 · R
YES
Franklin, ScottFL-18 · R
YES
Fry, RussellSC-7 · R
YES
Fulcher, RussID-1 · R
YES
Garbarino, Andrew R.NY-2 · R
YES
Gill, BrandonTX-26 · R
YES
Gimenez, Carlos A.FL-28 · R
YES
Goldman, Craig A.TX-12 · R
YES
Gonzales, TonyTX-23 · R
YES
Gooden, LanceTX-5 · R
YES
Gosar, Paul A.AZ-9 · R
YES
Graves, SamMO-6 · R
YES
Griffith, H. MorganVA-9 · R
YES
Grothman, GlennWI-6 · R
YES
Guest, MichaelMS-3 · R
YES
Guthrie, BrettKY-2 · R
YES
Hamadeh, Abraham J.AZ-8 · R
YES
Haridopolos, MikeFL-8 · R
YES
Harrigan, PatNC-10 · R
YES
Harris, AndyMD-1 · R
YES
Harris, MarkNC-8 · R
YES
Harshbarger, DianaTN-1 · R
YES
Hern, KevinOK-1 · R
YES
Higgins, ClayLA-3 · R
YES
Hill, J. FrenchAR-2 · R
YES
Hinson, AshleyIA-2 · R
YES
Houchin, ErinIN-9 · R
YES
Hudson, RichardNC-9 · R
YES
Huizenga, BillMI-4 · R
YES
Hunt, WesleyTX-38 · R
YES
Hurd, JeffCO-3 · R
YES
Issa, DarrellCA-48 · R
YES
Jack, BrianGA-3 · R
YES
Jackson, RonnyTX-13 · R
YES
James, JohnMI-10 · R
YES
Johnson, MikeLA-4 · R
YES
Jordan, JimOH-4 · R
YES
Joyce, David P.OH-14 · R
YES
Joyce, JohnPA-13 · R
YES
Kean, Thomas H.NJ-7 · R
YES
Kelly, TrentMS-1 · R
YES
Kelly, MikePA-16 · R
YES
Kennedy, MikeUT-3 · R
YES
Kiggans, Jennifer A.VA-2 · R
YES
Kiley, KevinCA-3 · R
YES
Kim, YoungCA-40 · R
YES
Knott, BradNC-13 · R
YES
Kustoff, DavidTN-8 · R
YES
LaHood, DarinIL-16 · R
YES
LaLota, NickNY-1 · R
YES
Langworthy, Nicholas A.NY-23 · R
YES
Latta, Robert E.OH-5 · R
YES
Lawler, MichaelNY-17 · R
YES
Lee, Laurel M.FL-15 · R
YES
Letlow, JuliaLA-5 · R
YES
Loudermilk, BarryGA-11 · R
YES
Lucas, Frank D.OK-3 · R
YES
Luna, Anna PaulinaFL-13 · R
YES
Luttrell, MorganTX-8 · R
YES
Mace, NancySC-1 · R
YES
Mackenzie, RyanPA-7 · R
YES
Malliotakis, NicoleNY-11 · R
YES
Maloy, CelesteUT-2 · R
YES
Mann, TraceyKS-1 · R
YES
Massie, ThomasKY-4 · R
YES
Mast, Brian J.FL-21 · R
YES
McCaul, Michael T.TX-10 · R
YES
McClain, Lisa C.MI-9 · R
YES
McClintock, TomCA-5 · R
YES
McCormick, RichardGA-7 · R
YES
McDowell, Addison P.NC-6 · R
YES
McGuire, John J.VA-5 · R
YES
Messmer, Mark B.IN-8 · R
YES
Meuser, DanielPA-9 · R
YES
Miller, Mary E.IL-15 · R
YES
Miller, Max L.OH-7 · R
YES
Miller, Carol D.WV-1 · R
YES
Miller-Meeks, MariannetteIA-1 · R
YES
Mills, CoryFL-7 · R
YES
Moolenaar, John R.MI-2 · R
YES
Moore, BarryAL-1 · R
YES
Moore, TimNC-14 · R
YES
Moore, Blake D.UT-1 · R
YES
Moore, Riley M.WV-2 · R
YES
Moran, NathanielTX-1 · R
YES
Murphy, Gregory F.NC-3 · R
NOT VOTING
Nehls, Troy E.TX-22 · R
YES
Newhouse, DanWA-4 · R
YES
Norman, RalphSC-5 · R
YES
Nunn, ZacharyIA-3 · R
YES
Obernolte, JayCA-23 · R
YES
Ogles, AndrewTN-5 · R
YES
Onder, Robert F.MO-3 · R
YES
Owens, BurgessUT-4 · R
YES
Palmer, Gary J.AL-6 · R
YES
Patronis, JimmyFL-1 · R
YES
Perry, ScottPA-10 · R
YES
Pfluger, AugustTX-11 · R
YES
Reschenthaler, GuyPA-14 · R
YES
Rogers, Mike D.AL-3 · R
YES
Rogers, HaroldKY-5 · R
YES
Rose, John W.TN-6 · R
YES
Rouzer, DavidNC-7 · R
YES
Roy, ChipTX-21 · R
YES
Rulli, Michael A.OH-6 · R
YES
Rutherford, John H.FL-5 · R
YES
Salazar, Maria ElviraFL-27 · R
YES
Scalise, SteveLA-1 · R
YES
Schmidt, DerekKS-2 · R
YES
Schweikert, DavidAZ-1 · R
YES
Scott, AustinGA-8 · R
YES
Self, KeithTX-3 · R
YES
Sessions, PeteTX-17 · R
YES
Shreve, JeffersonIN-6 · R
YES
Simpson, Michael K.ID-2 · R
YES
Smith, JasonMO-8 · R
YES
Smith, AdrianNE-3 · R
YES
Smith, Christopher H.NJ-4 · R
YES
Smucker, LloydPA-11 · R
YES
Spartz, VictoriaIN-5 · R
YES
Stauber, PeteMN-8 · R
YES
Stefanik, Elise M.NY-21 · R
YES
Steil, BryanWI-1 · R
YES
Steube, W. GregoryFL-17 · R
YES
Strong, Dale W.AL-5 · R
YES
Stutzman, Marlin A.IN-3 · R
YES
Taylor, David J.OH-2 · R
YES
Tenney, ClaudiaNY-24 · R
YES
Thompson, GlennPA-15 · R
YES
Tiffany, Thomas P.WI-7 · R
YES
Timmons, William R.SC-4 · R
YES
Turner, Michael R.OH-10 · R
YES
Valadao, David G.CA-22 · R
YES
Van Drew, JeffersonNJ-2 · R
YES
Van Duyne, BethTX-24 · R
YES
Van Epps, MattTN-7 · R
YES
Van Orden, DerrickWI-3 · R
YES
Wagner, AnnMO-2 · R
YES
Walberg, TimMI-5 · R
YES
Weber, Randy K. Sr.TX-14 · R
YES
Webster, DanielFL-11 · R
YES
Westerman, BruceAR-4 · R
YES
Wied, TonyWI-8 · R
YES
Williams, RogerTX-25 · R
YES
Wilson, JoeSC-2 · R
YES
Wittman, Robert J.VA-1 · R
YES

Discussion (4)

Sign in to join the discussion.
29
DetroitDave16d ago

We cannot let China control our rare earth mineral supply. This is a national security issue, full stop. We need domestic production now.

24
MadisonMike16d ago

I work in EV manufacturing. Our supply chain vulnerability to China on lithium and cobalt is a real, serious problem most people don't appreciate.

16
ArlingtonAmy16d ago

The environmental review exemptions in this bill are a giveaway to mining companies. Cutting corners on EIS is how we get disasters.

12
TwinCitiesT16d ago

Support domestic mining for EVs and batteries — absolutely. But not at the cost of contaminating watersheds in the Southwest.