Congressional Legislation · bill 119hr1223 · built from our database

Both sides have signed this (Bill Ranking)

ANCHOR Act

H.R. 1223 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)

H.R. 1223119TH CONGRESSINTRODUCED 02/12/2025REP. FONGR-CA · SPONSORLeft: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean left: no (Sponsor Ranking)Center: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean right: DW-NOMINATE +0.45 (Sponsor Ranking)Right: no (Sponsor Ranking)LEAN RIGHT(SPONSOR RANKING)SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, COMMUNICATIONS

6 members · Left 2 · Center 1 · Right 3 (Bill Ranking)

SponsorRep. Fong, Vince (R-CA) (Introduced 02/12/2025)
Sponsor Voting RecordLean right · DW-NOMINATE +0.45 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking)
Support
LLLCLRR

support across the spectrum: 6 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once

CommitteesSenate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; House - Science, Space, and Technology Committee; House - Science, Space, and Technology Committee
Latest Action05/21/2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Roll Call Votes1
Sourceview on congress.gov →
IntroducedPassed HousePassed SenateResolving DifferencesTo PresidentBecame Law

Summary (1)

Introduced in House (02/12/2025)

Accelerating Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for Oceanic Research Act or the ANCHOR Act 

This bill requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a plan to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications capabilities of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet (ARF).

ARF is comprised of U.S.-flagged vessels that provide at-sea laboratories where oceanographic scientists, educators, and students research and learn about marine science. 

The bill requires the plan to include assessments of

  • telecommunications and networking needs of ARF, consistent with typical scientific missions;
  • cybersecurity needs appropriate for the operation of ARF vessels and their specific research functions;
  • the costs necessary to meet these needs;
  • the time required to implement necessary upgrades; and
  • opportunities for the adoption of common solutions or consortial licensing agreements, or for the centralization of cybersecurity, telecommunications, or data management at a single facility. 

The plan must also include a spending plan for the NSF, the Office of Naval Research, nonfederal owners of ARF vessels, and users of the vessels to cover identified costs. 

Among other factors specified in the bill, the NSF must consider, as appropriate, the network capabilities necessary to meet mission needs (e.g., to upload data to cloud-based or shoreside servers), international standards and guidance for information security, and requirements for controlled unclassified or classified information. 

The plan must be provided to Congress within 18 months of the bill's enactment, and the NSF must later report to Congress on the plan's implementation. 

Text (3)

Engrossed in House (EH)

119 HR 1223 EH: Accelerating Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for Oceanic Research Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS1st Session H. R. 1223

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To require a plan to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, and for other purposes.

1.Short title This Act may be cited as the Accelerating Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for Oceanic Research Act or the ANCHOR Act.

2.Plan to improve cybersecurity and telecommunications of U.S. Academic Research Fleet (a)In generalNot later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director, in consultation with other Federal agency owners and the head of any university or laboratory that owns or operates a vessel of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a plan to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet. (b)ElementsThe plan required by subsection (a) shall include— (1)an assessment of the telecommunications and networking needs of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, consistent with the typical scientific mission of each vessel; (2)in accordance with guidance issued by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Institute for Standards and Technology, an assessment of cybersecurity needs appropriate for— (A)the operation of vessels within the U.S. Academic Research Fleet; and (B)the specific research functions and activities of such vessels; (3)an assessment of the costs necessary to meet the needs described in paragraphs (1) and (2), including— (A)any necessary equipment costs in excess of current expenditures, such as satellite communications equipment, software, high-performance computing infrastructure shipboard and shoreside, or enterprise hardware; (B)estimated personnel costs in excess of current expenditures, including any necessary training, support, or logistics; and (C)the estimated impact on daily charter rates associated with the costs described in subparagraphs (A) and (B); (4)an assessment of the time required to implement any upgrades required to meet the needs described in paragraphs (1) and (2) under varying budgets and funding scenarios; (5)an assessment of opportunities for the adoption of common solutions or consortial licensing agreements, or for the centralization of elements of fleet cybersecurity, telecommunications, or data management at a single facility; and (6)in consultation with any non-Federal owners of a vessel of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, a spending plan for the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, non-Federal owners of vessels of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, users of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, or any combination thereof, to provide funding to cover the costs described in paragraph (3). (c)ConsiderationsThe Director in preparing the plan required by subsection (a), shall, as appropriate, consider the following: (1)The network capabilities, including speed and bandwidth targets, necessary to meet the scientific mission needs of each class of vessel within the U.S. Academic Research Fleet for such purposes as— (A)executing the critical functions and communications of each vessel; (B)providing network access for the health and well-being of deployed personnel, including communications to conduct telemedicine (including mental health care), counseling, interviews with crisis response providers, and other remote individual care and services; (C)as necessary to meet operations, uploading any scientific data to a cloud-based server or shoreside server, including the copying of data off ship for disaster recovery or risk mitigation purposes; (D)conducting real-time streaming to enable shore-based observers to participate in ship-based maintenance or research activities; (E)scientific instrumentation so that it is possible to conduct scientific surveys and seafloor mapping with fully remote subject matter experts; (F)critical operational technology by manufacturers and vendors so that it is possible to carry out maintenance and repairs to systems with limited expertise on each vessel, with fully remote subject matter experts advising; and (G)enabling video communications to allow improved outreach to, and other educational services for, K–12 students, including occasional remote classroom teaching for instructors at sea to improve oceanographic access for students. (2)In consultation with the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Director of the National Institute for Standards and Technology, and the heads of other Federal agencies, as appropriate— (A)the cybersecurity recommendations in the report of the private scientific advisory group known as JASON entitled Cybersecurity at NSF Major Facilities (JSR–21–10E) and dated October 2021 as applied to the U.S. Academic Research Fleet; (B)aligning with international standards and guidance for information security, including the use of encryption for sensitive information, the detection and handling of security incidents, and other areas determined relevant by the Director; (C)facilitating access to cybersecurity personnel and training of research and support personnel; and (D)the requirements for controlled unclassified or classified information. (d)Implementation of and report on plan (1)In generalThe Director, in coordination with the Office of Naval Research, non-Federal owners of vessels of the Academic Research Fleet, users of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, or any combination thereof, may support upgrades to the cyberinfrastructure and cybersecurity of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet consistent with the plan required by subsection (a). (2)Report requiredNot later than two years after the submission of the plan required by subsection (a), the Director shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report describing the progress made in implementing the plan. (e)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)DirectorThe term Director means the Director of the National Science Foundation. (2)Oceanographic research vesselThe term oceanographic research vessel has the meaning given the term in section 2101 of title 46, United States Code. (3)U.S. Academic Research FleetThe term U.S Academic Research Fleet means the United States-flagged vessels that— (A)are operated as oceanographic research vessels by research universities and laboratories; (B)have achieved designation as a member vessel of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet through the standard U.S. Academic Research Fleet evaluation process; and (C)have been accepted into, and are active participants within, the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System. Passed the House of Representatives May 19, 2025.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.

Introduced in House (IH)

119 HR 1223 IH: Accelerating Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for Oceanic Research Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-02-12 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1223IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 12, 2025Mr. Fong (for himself and Ms. Stevens) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and TechnologyA BILLTo require a plan to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, and for other purposes.

1.Short title This Act may be cited as the Accelerating Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for Oceanic Research Act or the ANCHOR Act.

2.Plan to improve cybersecurity and telecommunications of U.S. Academic Research Fleet (a)In generalNot later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director, in consultation with other Federal agency owners and the head of any university or laboratory that owns or operates a vessel of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a plan to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet. (b)ElementsThe plan required by subsection (a) shall include— (1)an assessment of the telecommunications and networking needs of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, consistent with the typical scientific mission of each vessel; (2)in accordance with guidance issued by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Institute for Standards and Technology, an assessment of cybersecurity needs appropriate for— (A)the operation of vessels within the U.S. Academic Research Fleet; and (B)the specific research functions and activities of such vessels; (3)an assessment of the costs necessary to meet the needs described in paragraphs (1) and (2), including— (A)any necessary equipment costs in excess of current expenditures, such as satellite communications equipment, software, high-performance computing infrastructure shipboard and shoreside, or enterprise hardware; (B)estimated personnel costs in excess of current expenditures, including any necessary training, support, or logistics; and (C)the estimated impact on daily charter rates associated with the costs described in subparagraphs (A) and (B); (4)an assessment of the time required to implement any upgrades required to meet the needs described in paragraphs (1) and (2) under varying budgets and funding scenarios; (5)an assessment of opportunities for the adoption of common solutions or consortial licensing agreements, or for the centralization of elements of fleet cybersecurity, telecommunications, or data management at a single facility; and (6)in consultation with any non-Federal owners of a vessel of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, a spending plan for the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, non-Federal owners of vessels of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, users of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, or any combination thereof, to provide funding to cover the costs described in paragraph (3). (c)ConsiderationsThe Director in preparing the plan required by subsection (a), shall, as appropriate, consider the following: (1)The network capabilities, including speed and bandwidth targets, necessary to meet the scientific mission needs of each class of vessel within the U.S. Academic Research Fleet for such purposes as— (A)executing the critical functions and communications of each vessel; (B)providing network access for the health and well-being of deployed personnel, including communications to conduct telemedicine (including mental health care), counseling, interviews with crisis response providers, and other remote individual care and services; (C)as necessary to meet operations, uploading any scientific data to a cloud-based server or shoreside server, including the copying of data off ship for disaster recovery or risk mitigation purposes; (D)conducting real-time streaming to enable shore-based observers to participate in ship-based maintenance or research activities; (E)scientific instrumentation so that it is possible to conduct scientific surveys and seafloor mapping with fully remote subject matter experts; (F)critical operational technology by manufacturers and vendors so that it is possible to carry out maintenance and repairs to systems with limited expertise on each vessel, with fully remote subject matter experts advising; and (G)enabling video communications to allow improved outreach to, and other educational services for, K–12 students, including occasional remote classroom teaching for instructors at sea to improve oceanographic access for students. (2)In consultation with the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Director of the National Institute for Standards and Technology, and the heads of other Federal agencies, as appropriate— (A)the cybersecurity recommendations in the report of the private scientific advisory group known as JASON entitled Cybersecurity at NSF Major Facilities (JSR–21–10E) and dated October 2021 as applied to the U.S. Academic Research Fleet; (B)aligning with international standards and guidance for information security, including the use of encryption for sensitive information, the detection and handling of security incidents, and other areas determined relevant by the Director; (C)facilitating access to cybersecurity personnel and training of research and support personnel; and (D)the requirements for controlled unclassified or classified information. (d)Implementation of and report on plan (1)In generalThe Director, in coordination with the Office of Naval Research, non-Federal owners of vessels of the Academic Research Fleet, users of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, or any combination thereof, may support upgrades to the cyberinfrastructure and cybersecurity of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet consistent with the plan required by subsection (a). (2)Report requiredNot later than two years after the submission of the plan required by subsection (a), the Director shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report describing the progress made in implementing the plan. (e)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)DirectorThe term Director means the Director of the National Science Foundation. (2)Oceanographic research vesselThe term oceanographic research vessel has the meaning given the term in section 2101 of title 46, United States Code. (3)U.S. Academic Research FleetThe term U.S Academic Research Fleet means the United States-flagged vessels that— (A)are operated as oceanographic research vessels by research universities and laboratories; (B)have achieved designation as a member vessel of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet through the standard U.S. Academic Research Fleet evaluation process; and (C)have been accepted into, and are active participants within, the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System.

Referred in Senate (RFS)

119 HR 1223 : Accelerating Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for Oceanic Research Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-05-21 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IIB119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1223IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMay 21, 2025Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationAN ACTTo require a plan to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, and for other purposes.1.Short title This Act may be cited as the Accelerating Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for Oceanic Research Act or the ANCHOR Act.2.Plan to improve cybersecurity and telecommunications of U.S. Academic Research Fleet(a)In generalNot later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director, in consultation with other Federal agency owners and the head of any university or laboratory that owns or operates a vessel of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a plan to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet.(b)ElementsThe plan required by subsection (a) shall include—(1)an assessment of the telecommunications and networking needs of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, consistent with the typical scientific mission of each vessel;(2)in accordance with guidance issued by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Institute for Standards and Technology, an assessment of cybersecurity needs appropriate for—(A)the operation of vessels within the U.S. Academic Research Fleet; and(B)the specific research functions and activities of such vessels;(3)an assessment of the costs necessary to meet the needs described in paragraphs (1) and (2), including—(A)any necessary equipment costs in excess of current expenditures, such as satellite communications equipment, software, high-performance computing infrastructure shipboard and shoreside, or enterprise hardware;(B)estimated personnel costs in excess of current expenditures, including any necessary training, support, or logistics; and(C)the estimated impact on daily charter rates associated with the costs described in subparagraphs (A) and (B);(4)an assessment of the time required to implement any upgrades required to meet the needs described in paragraphs (1) and (2) under varying budgets and funding scenarios;(5)an assessment of opportunities for the adoption of common solutions or consortial licensing agreements, or for the centralization of elements of fleet cybersecurity, telecommunications, or data management at a single facility; and(6)in consultation with any non-Federal owners of a vessel of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, a spending plan for the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, non-Federal owners of vessels of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, users of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, or any combination thereof, to provide funding to cover the costs described in paragraph (3).(c)ConsiderationsThe Director in preparing the plan required by subsection (a), shall, as appropriate, consider the following:(1)The network capabilities, including speed and bandwidth targets, necessary to meet the scientific mission needs of each class of vessel within the U.S. Academic Research Fleet for such purposes as—(A)executing the critical functions and communications of each vessel;(B)providing network access for the health and well-being of deployed personnel, including communications to conduct telemedicine (including mental health care), counseling, interviews with crisis response providers, and other remote individual care and services;(C)as necessary to meet operations, uploading any scientific data to a cloud-based server or shoreside server, including the copying of data off ship for disaster recovery or risk mitigation purposes;(D)conducting real-time streaming to enable shore-based observers to participate in ship-based maintenance or research activities;(E)scientific instrumentation so that it is possible to conduct scientific surveys and seafloor mapping with fully remote subject matter experts;(F)critical operational technology by manufacturers and vendors so that it is possible to carry out maintenance and repairs to systems with limited expertise on each vessel, with fully remote subject matter experts advising; and(G)enabling video communications to allow improved outreach to, and other educational services for, K–12 students, including occasional remote classroom teaching for instructors at sea to improve oceanographic access for students.(2)In consultation with the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Director of the National Institute for Standards and Technology, and the heads of other Federal agencies, as appropriate—(A)the cybersecurity recommendations in the report of the private scientific advisory group known as JASON entitled Cybersecurity at NSF Major Facilities (JSR–21–10E) and dated October 2021 as applied to the U.S. Academic Research Fleet;(B)aligning with international standards and guidance for information security, including the use of encryption for sensitive information, the detection and handling of security incidents, and other areas determined relevant by the Director;(C)facilitating access to cybersecurity personnel and training of research and support personnel; and(D)the requirements for controlled unclassified or classified information.(d)Implementation of and report on plan(1)In generalThe Director, in coordination with the Office of Naval Research, non-Federal owners of vessels of the Academic Research Fleet, users of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, or any combination thereof, may support upgrades to the cyberinfrastructure and cybersecurity of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet consistent with the plan required by subsection (a).(2)Report requiredNot later than two years after the submission of the plan required by subsection (a), the Director shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report describing the progress made in implementing the plan.(e)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)DirectorThe term Director means the Director of the National Science Foundation.(2)Oceanographic research vesselThe term oceanographic research vessel has the meaning given the term in section 2101 of title 46, United States Code.(3)U.S. Academic Research FleetThe term U.S Academic Research Fleet means the United States-flagged vessels that—(A)are operated as oceanographic research vessels by research universities and laboratories;(B)have achieved designation as a member vessel of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet through the standard U.S. Academic Research Fleet evaluation process; and(C)have been accepted into, and are active participants within, the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System.Passed the House of Representatives May 19, 2025.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.

The bill's own words, from our database (synced from the GPO BILLS XML); paragraph breaks added at the bill's section boundaries, nothing else changed.

All Actions (14)

DateChamberAll Actions
02/12/2025Library of CongressIntroduced in House
02/12/2025Library of CongressIntroduced in House
02/12/2025House floor actionsReferred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
04/29/2025House committee actionsCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
04/29/2025House committee actionsOrdered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
05/19/2025House floor actionsMr. Fong moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
05/19/2025House floor actionsConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2113-2115)
05/19/2025House floor actionsDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1223.
05/19/2025House floor actionsAt the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Babin objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
05/20/2025House floor actionsConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2168)
05/20/2025Library of CongressPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 - 11 (Roll no. 136). (text: 5/19/2025 CR H2113-2114)
05/20/2025House floor actionsOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 - 11 (Roll no. 136). (text: 5/19/2025 CR H2113-2114)
05/20/2025House floor actionsMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
05/21/2025SenateReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Titles (9)

Title TypeTitle
Official Titles from EH (Engrossed in House) bill textTo require a plan to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, and for other purposes.
Short Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill textAccelerating Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for Oceanic Research Act
Short Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill textANCHOR Act
Short Title(s) as Passed HouseANCHOR Act
Short Title(s) as Passed HouseAccelerating Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for Oceanic Research Act
Display TitleANCHOR Act
Short Title(s) as IntroducedANCHOR Act
Short Title(s) as IntroducedAccelerating Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for Oceanic Research Act
Official Title as IntroducedTo require a plan to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, and for other purposes.

Amendments (0)

There are no amendments to this bill.

Cosponsors (5)

* = Original cosponsor

Committees (3)

CommitteeActivity
Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee05/21/2025 Referred To
House - Science, Space, and Technology Committee04/29/2025 Markup By
House - Science, Space, and Technology Committee02/12/2025 Referred To

Related Bills (0)

No related bill information was received for H.R. 1223.

Subjects (5)

Policy Area: Science, Technology, Communications

All data on this page comes from our own database (legislation.congress_* tables), synced daily from the GPO govinfo BILLSTATUS and BILLS collections. Formatted after congress.gov; nothing is generated. Member placement is their DW-NOMINATE score (voteview.com, Lewis et al.) - a measurement of roll-call voting behavior, not our judgement. Buckets: Left below −0.50 · Lean Left to −0.25 · Center to +0.25 · Lean Right to +0.50 · Right above +0.50. The bill's Support meter aggregates the people who signed the bill - sponsor and current cosponsors, each counted once - nothing else.