Bill · H.R. 2503· House(119-HR-2503)
Undersea Cable Control Act
- Introduced
- 3/31/2025
- Last activity
- 9/3/2025 — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Thomas Kean
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- Passed House
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
The Undersea Cable Control Act requires the President to develop a strategy to stop foreign adversaries from accessing goods and technologies used for undersea cables. This strategy involves identifying necessary items, export controls, and the role of United States allies. The President must also report on this strategy to Congress annually for three years. Additionally, the President is tasked with seeking agreements with allies to prevent these items from reaching foreign adversaries. The Secretary of Commerce is directed to evaluate specific items for export controls and potential additions to the Commerce Control List.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?+6
The act encourages building multilateral agreements and stronger cooperative ties with allies to secure technology supply chains.
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?+5
The bill enhances national security by protecting critical undersea cable infrastructure from foreign adversaries.
Does this give the federal government more power?+4
The bill expands the President's and Secretary of Commerce's authority to regulate the export of specific technologies.
The opposite
Does this make trade with other countries easier?-3
The implementation of stricter export controls and licensing requirements may restrict the free movement of goods.
Would business owners be better off under this?-2
New export controls and licensing requirements may create regulatory hurdles for businesses in the technology sector.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Enhanced Security Strategy: The President, through the Secretary of Commerce and in coordination with the Secretary of State, will develop a strategy to prevent foreign adversaries from obtaining items required for the construction, maintenance, or operation of undersea cables (Section 2(a)).
-
International Cooperation: The Act seeks to establish bilateral or multilateral agreements with allies and partners to work together to eliminate the availability of specific items to foreign adversaries (Section 2(d)(1)(A)).
-
Standardized Controls: The Secretary of Commerce is directed to evaluate items for appropriate controls under the Export Administration Regulations, which includes considering whether to add technologies to the Commerce Control List (Section 2(e)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Trade Restrictions: The Secretary of Commerce is tasked with evaluating the export, reexport, and in-country transfer of items, which may include requiring licenses or other authorizations for the movement of technology (Section 2(e)(1) and Section 2(e)(2)(A)).
-
Penalty Provisions: The President is directed to seek agreements with allies that include penalty provisions for noncompliance (Section 2(d)(1)(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Alliances+6Improves Cybersecurity Defense+5Improves Diplomatic Engagement+3Improves International Trade-3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+4Improves Government Transparency+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners-2
- 9/3/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 9/2/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3733-3734)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2503.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3733-3734)
- Mr. Baumgartner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 4/9/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- 4/8/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/31/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Introduced in House
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Brad ShermanDemocrat · California