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Congress·Reported·about 1 month ago

Senate Committee Advances Strategic Subsea Cables Act to Sanction Foreign Groups That Cut Undersea Internet Lines

Also known as: Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
Senate
House
President

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Key Points

  • Congress is moving to protect the massive fiber-optic cables that run under the ocean and carry nearly all global internet traffic. These cables are essential for daily life, supporting everything from personal emails to international banking and government communications.
  • The proposal would allow the government to punish foreign individuals or groups who intentionally damage these cables. These punishments include freezing their U.S. bank accounts and banning them from traveling to the United States.
  • A new team of experts from different government agencies would be formed to coordinate cable safety. This group would work to speed up the permits needed to build new cables and create a clear emergency plan for when cables are accidentally or purposely cut.
  • The government would start tracking and reporting on suspicious activity from foreign ships near these cables. Specifically, officials would monitor countries like China and Russia for any technology designed to cut or damage cables deep on the ocean floor.
  • The State Department would hire more staff to work with private companies that own and maintain these cables. The goal is to make it easier for the government and private businesses to share information about threats so they can prevent internet outages before they happen.
National Security Foreign PolicyTechnology DigitalInfrastructure Transportation

Milestones

4 milestones5 actions
Feb 10, 2026Senate

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 327.

Feb 10, 2026Senate

Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

Jan 29, 2026Senate

Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Nov 20, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Nov 20, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

New interagency committee on subsea cable security is established

The government begins coordinating across agencies to protect undersea internet cables, streamline cable-building permits, and create emergency response plans for cable cuts — all aimed at keeping internet service reliable.

First reports on Chinese and Russian subsea cable activities due to Congress

Within 180 days of enactment, the government would deliver its first detailed assessment of threats to undersea cables from China and Russia, giving lawmakers and the public a clearer picture of the risks.

Related News

3 articles
Focus Taiwan·3 months ago

Senators push bill to boost U.S. role in undersea cable security

U.S. senators proposed the Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2025 to enhance government engagement in the security and repair of fiber-optic cables. The bill requires the president to impose sanctions on individuals who intentionally damage cables and establishes an inter-agency committee.

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BankInfoSecurity·3 months ago

Congress Moves to Defend Undersea Cables From China, Russia

The bipartisan bill introduced by Sens. Shaheen and Barrasso would allow the Treasury to cut off foreign persons responsible for cable damage from the dollar-settling system. It aims to fortify defenses against sabotage in hotspots like the Baltic Sea and Taiwan Strait.

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Taipei Times·3 months ago

US senators unveil subsea cables act

The bill calls for greater U.S. participation in international bodies like the International Cable Protection Committee and mandates a federal strategy to work with industry partners. It responds to a rise in cable cuts in the Baltic Sea and Taiwan Strait attributed to adversarial targeting.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2025

Bill NumberS 3249
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 327.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.