Less regulation for undersea fiber optics?
This bill would amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit the Department of Commerce, via the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, from requiring additional permits, regulations, or other authorization regarding the construction or replacement of undersea fiber optic cables in national marine sanctuaries. Undersea fiber optic cables are thin strands of glass or plastic used to transmit data. This prohibition would apply only if another state or federal agency is already regulating these activities. Sponsor: Rep. Earl "Buddy" Carter (Republican, Georgia, District 1)
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Opponents say
• At the time of research and publication, no official opposing statements have been identified. This does not mean that nobody opposes the bill, nor does it mean that opposing statements will not be made in the future.
Proponents say
• "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." Source: Rep. Rep. Earl "Buddy" Carter (Republican, Georgia, District 1)
• "Rep. Buddy Carter’s legislation, H.R. 261, the Undersea Cable Protection Act, amends NMSA to block the Secretary of Commerce from prohibiting or requiring a permit for the installation, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if such activities have already been authorized by federal and state agencies, getting rid of duplicative permitting laws while protecting national marine sanctuaries. With this legislation, House Republicans are not only safeguarding our infrastructure and national security, but also securing America’s position on the world stage leading the digital economy and global communications." Source: Rep. Steve Scalise (Republican, Louisiana, District 1), Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives
- Carter, Blackburn introduce bill securing U.S. undersea cables (Press Release)
- Cost Estimate (Congressional Budget Office)
- A new rivalry between the U.S. and China over the world’s undersea cables (WBUR-NPR)
- Underwater cables are a vital piece of the AI buildout and internet — investment is booming (CNBC)
- Submarine Cables (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
- Rep. Earl "Buddy" Carter’s Largest Donors (OpenSecrets)
