Bills · 119th Congress · Public Lands and Natural Resources

Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025

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Roll calls on this bill

Votes on passage
HouseOn Passage · 2/11/26PassageThe vote on whether this chamber approves the measure — usually by a simple majority of those voting. It becomes law only once both chambers pass the same text and the president signs it, or Congress overrides a veto.House: The Legislative Process ↗
Passed
  • Democratic3 Yea · 211 Nay · 0 Not voting
  • Republican214 Yea · 1 Nay · 2 Not voting
  • Independent / Other1 Yea · 0 Nay · 0 Not voting
Official summary (CRS)

Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025

This bill prohibits the Department of Commerce from enforcing certain permit requirements for activities related to undersea fiber optic cables in national marine sanctuaries.

Specifically, Commerce may not prohibit or require an authorization for any covered activities related to undersea fiber optic cables if a license, lease, or permit has been issued by a state or federal agency to authorize the covered activity. Covered activities are the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary.

Full text on congress.gov ↗
Sponsor
Rep. Earl L. "Buddy" Carter ( Republican · GA-1)
Cosponsors
7
Introduced
1/9/25
Policy area
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Status
1/9/25Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
1/9/25Introduced in House
1/21/25Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
1/23/25Subcommittee Hearings Held
6/25/25Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 18.
6/25/25Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
6/25/25Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
7/2/25Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 146.
7/2/25Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-181.
2/9/26Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1042 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2189, H.R. 261 and H.R. 3617. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617 under a closed rule and provides for one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
2/11/26The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
2/11/26Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2/11/26On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 212 (Roll no. 67). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2162)
2/11/26Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 212 (Roll no. 67).
2/11/26On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 216 (Roll no. 66).
2/11/26Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2169-2171)
2/11/26POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 261, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Carbajal demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
2/11/26The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
2/11/26Mr. Carbajal moved to recommit to the Committee on Natural Resources. (text: CR H2166)
2/11/26The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2/11/26DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 261.
2/11/26Rule provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261 and H.R. 3617. The resolution provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617 under a closed rule and provides for one motion to recommit H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617, and one motion to commit S. 1383.
2/11/26Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1057. (consideration: CR H2161-2166)
2/11/26Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1057 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261 and H.R. 3617. The resolution provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617 under a closed rule and provides for one motion to recommit H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617, and one motion to commit S. 1383.
2/12/26Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.