WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) and Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) this week introduced the Undersea Cable Protection Act, a bill that strengthens national security and global connectivity by safeguarding the United States’ submarine cable infrastructure.
The bill accomplishes these goals by ensuring diversity of routes for national security, eliminating duplicative permitting laws, and promoting rather than delaying the deployment and maintenance of submarine cables. It also preserves existing local, state, and federal permitting rules and protects national marine sanctuaries.
“As we’ve just seen in the Baltic Sea, submarine cables are a critical part of any nation’s infrastructure and subject to attack from hostile foreign nations. Unfortunately, our current protections against these threats are insufficient. I am proud to partner with Senator Blackburn on this vital legislation that will make the world safer and more connected than ever before, while enhancing government efficiency,” said Rep. Carter.
“Undersea networks are a major component of global connectivity and our digital economy,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Undersea Cable Protection Act would ensure that undersea cables can be built and preserved without duplicative, burdensome, and unnecessary federal regulations.”
Original Co-Sponsors include Reps. Neal Dunn (R-FL), August Pfluger (R-TX), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Kat Cammack (R-FL), and Randy Weber (R-TX).
“Recent developments in hybrid warfare have made it abundantly clear that protecting America’s undersea cables is crucial to our national security and economic vitality. We cannot allow overregulation to delay our ability to protect these vulnerable assets. I look forward to cutting redundant bureaucratic red tape to reinforce global connectivity and mitigate national security risks,” said Rep. Dunn.
“Globally, we have seen increased attacks on undersea cables from our adversaries. Undersea cables are responsible for 99% of the telecommunications activity across oceans, making them critical to every single sector of our economy and military. The Undersea Cable Protection Act will ensure that the permitting process for undersea cable infrastructure is streamlined and not bogged down with bureaucratic red tape. This will allow for swift permitting in our telecommunications infrastructure. I’m proud to support this legislation to keep America secure and connected,” said Rep. Pfluger.
The bill boasts support from industry stakeholders, including the International Connectivity Coalition, INCOMPAS, Telecommunications Industry Association, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Read the full bill text here.
Download one-pager here.
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