Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025
Sponsors:
Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
(2026-02-12)
View Original Bill Text
Plain Language Summary
This bill aims to protect undersea cables that carry internet and phone signals under the ocean. These cables connect continents and allow people to communicate and use the internet worldwide. The bill would create new rules and penalties to keep these important cables safe from damage or attacks.
Key Points
- Creates new protections for undersea cables that carry internet and phone signals across oceans
- Sets up penalties for people or countries that purposely damage these cables
- Helps the government track and respond to threats against undersea communication cables
Who This Affects
This bill would affect companies that own and operate undersea cables. It would also affect anyone who uses the internet or phones for international communication. Government agencies responsible for protecting infrastructure would get new responsibilities.
Arguments For
- Undersea cables carry 99% of international data, so protecting them keeps the internet working
- Better security could prevent other countries from cutting cables and disrupting communication
Arguments Against
- New rules and enforcement could cost money that businesses and taxpayers would need to pay
- Additional regulations might slow down cable repairs or new cable projects
Fiscal Impact
No fiscal impact estimated
Summary generated by AI (claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929). For informational purposes only.
Always refer to the original bill text for legal accuracy.