Rep. Lawler Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Protect Taiwan's Undersea Cables From Chinese Sabotage
This bill is currently in the House Foreign Affairs and Judiciary committees. Nothing has happened with the bill since April 1, 2026, so it is considered stalled. The committees must review the bill before it can move forward.
The bill has support from both parties and addresses a major security concern, but most bills face a long process before they can become law.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
Foreign nationals found to be involved in undersea cable sabotage or supporting such activity would have their U.S. visas immediately revoked and would be barred from entering the country. This also applies to ship captains, insurers, and logistics providers who knowingly support sabotage operations. The impact is narrow, applying only to those directly linked to cable sabotage.
“The visa or other entry documentation of an alien described in subsection (a) shall be revoked, regardless of when such visa or other entry documentation is or was issued.”
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Bipartisan U.S. legislation aims to bolster Taiwan's undersea cable resilience against China's 'gray zone' tactics. The bill prioritizes real-time monitoring sensors, rapid response protocols, and joint U.S.-Taiwan Coast Guard patrols in the Taiwan Strait.
Reps. Mike Lawler and Dave Min introduced the Critical Undersea Infrastructure Resilience Initiative Act. The bill authorizes joint patrols between the U.S. and Taiwan Coast Guards and establishes a Cross-Strait Contingency Planning Group for scenario-based exercises.
The legislation would deploy advanced sensors to detect sabotage and provide Taiwan with real-time intelligence. It mandates sanctions on individuals responsible for sabotaging undersea systems and requires U.S. collaboration with allies on infrastructure recovery.
No votes recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Critical Undersea Infrastructure Resilience Initiative Act
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