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Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-2873| Senate 
| Updated: 9/18/2025
Marsha Blackburn

Marsha Blackburn

Republican Senator

Tennessee

Cosponsors (1)
Eric Schmitt (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill proposes to amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to streamline the regulatory process for undersea fiber optic cables. Its primary purpose is to prohibit the Secretary of Commerce from requiring additional authorization for activities related to undersea fiber optic cables within national marine sanctuaries. This prohibition applies specifically when a Federal or State agency has already issued a license, lease, or permit for the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of these cables. The legislation aims to eliminate redundant permitting processes for critical infrastructure projects that have already received approval from other governmental bodies. It also includes a provision allowing the Secretary to direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to engage in interagency cooperation concerning these cable activities.
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Timeline
Sep 18, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Sep 18, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Feb 12, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-261
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • September 18, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • September 18, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • February 12, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-261
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Transportation and Public Works

Related Bills

  • HR 119-261: Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025

Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-2873| Senate 
| Updated: 9/18/2025
This bill proposes to amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to streamline the regulatory process for undersea fiber optic cables. Its primary purpose is to prohibit the Secretary of Commerce from requiring additional authorization for activities related to undersea fiber optic cables within national marine sanctuaries. This prohibition applies specifically when a Federal or State agency has already issued a license, lease, or permit for the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of these cables. The legislation aims to eliminate redundant permitting processes for critical infrastructure projects that have already received approval from other governmental bodies. It also includes a provision allowing the Secretary to direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to engage in interagency cooperation concerning these cable activities.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Sep 18, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Sep 18, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Feb 12, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-261
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • September 18, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • September 18, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • February 12, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-261
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Marsha Blackburn

Marsha Blackburn

Republican Senator

Tennessee

Cosponsors (1)
Eric Schmitt (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Transportation and Public Works

Related Bills

  • HR 119-261: Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted