What this bill does
AI plain-language summaryThis 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.
Introduced
January 9, 2025
Policy Area
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Your Vote
How Representatives Voted
Feb 11, 2026Users: 50% YES · 2
Users: 0% YES · 1
Discussion (6)
Explain what is at stake in this bill.
Most people don't realize that 99% of international internet traffic runs through undersea cables. Protecting this infrastructure is critical. Strong YES.
Good bipartisan bill. Securing critical communications infrastructure shouldn't be controversial across party lines.
After seeing what happened to the Nord Stream pipelines, I'm glad Congress is finally taking undersea infrastructure seriously.
The penalties in this bill don't go far enough. Deliberate sabotage of undersea cables should carry mandatory minimum sentences.