Bill · S. 2873· Senate(119-S-2873)
Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 9/18/2025
- Last activity
- 9/18/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Marsha Blackburn
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 amends the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. It stops the Secretary from requiring new authorizations for undersea fiber optic cables in national marine sanctuaries if they already have a permit, lease, or license from a Federal or State agency. This applies to the installation, presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of these cables. It also allows the Secretary to direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to cooperate with other agencies.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
Reduces bureaucratic costs and delays for companies operating undersea telecommunications infrastructure.
Does this get reliable internet to more people?+3
Facilitating the installation and repair of undersea cables supports the stability and expansion of global internet connectivity.
Is this likely to grow the economy?+2
Reducing regulatory hurdles for critical internet infrastructure can support economic efficiency.
The opposite
Does this put more rules on large technology companies?-3
The bill reduces regulatory requirements for entities installing and operating fiber optic cables.
Does this give the federal government more power?-2
Reduces the power of the Secretary of Commerce to require specific authorizations for certain activities.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-2
Removing the requirement for separate sanctuary-specific authorizations may slightly reduce environmental oversight levels.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Reduced Bureaucracy: Under Section 2 (SEC. 310A(a)), the Secretary cannot require additional authorizations if a Federal or State agency has already issued a license, lease, or permit. This removes redundant requirements for the installation, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables.
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Interagency Coordination: Under Section 2 (SEC. 310A(b)), the Secretary can direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to engage in interagency cooperation regarding these cable activities.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for individuals or groups of people are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Interstate Commerce+2Increase States Rights+2Increases Federal Power-2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Land Management+1Improves Environmental Protections-2
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+3Increases Big Tech Regulation-3
- 10/1/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/18/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Eric SchmittRepublican · Missouri