Key Points

This bill changes how the government handles fiber optic cables that run under the ocean. These cables are vital because they carry almost all the internet traffic between countries.
Under this plan, the Department of Commerce cannot block or require extra permits for these cables if they are located in national marine sanctuaries. This only applies if the cable already has a permit from another state or federal agency.
The goal is to make it faster and cheaper to install, fix, or maintain these cables. Currently, companies often have to get permission from many different offices, which can delay repairs when the internet goes down.
While it cuts down on paperwork, the bill still requires government agencies to work together to protect the environment. It ensures that the rules for protected ocean areas do not stop important technology projects that have already been vetted.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.

Milestones

6 milestones29 actions

Feb 12, 2026Senate

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

Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.

Feb 11, 2026House

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

Feb 11, 2026House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Feb 11, 2026House

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 212 (Roll no. 67).

Feb 11, 2026

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 212 (Roll no. 67).

The House of Representatives voted to approve this bill. It now goes to the Senate.

Vote Results

2 votes

HouseFailedAmendmentFeb 11, 2026

On Motion to Recommit

214

216

Democrat

214 – 0

Republican

0 – 216 · 2

View full roll call

HousePassedPassageFeb 11, 2026

On Passage

218

212

Democrat

3 – 211

Republican

215 – 1 · 2

View full roll call

Related Bills

3 bills

H.Res. 1042Related bill

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2189) to modernize Federal firearms laws to account for advancements in technology and less-than-lethal weapons, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 261) to amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit requiring an authorization for the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if such activities have previously been authorized by a Federal or State agency; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3617) to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act to secure the supply of critical energy resources, including critical minerals and other materials, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.

Feb 10 — Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

H.Res. 1057Related bill

Providing for consideration of the bill (S. 1383) to establish the Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2189) to modernize Federal firearms laws to account for advancements in technology and less-than-lethal weapons, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 261) to amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit requiring an authorization for the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if such activities have previously been authorized by a Federal or State agency; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3617) to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act to secure the supply of critical energy resources, including critical minerals and other materials, and for other purposes; and waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules.

Feb 11 — Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

S. 2873Identical bill

Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025

Sep 18 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

No news coverage recorded for this bill yet.

Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

Key Points

Impact Analysis

Milestones

Vote Results

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