Both sides have signed this (Bill Ranking)
H.R. 1737 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)
2 members · Left 1 · Center 0 · Right 1 (Bill Ranking)
| Sponsor | Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. (D-VI) (Introduced 02/27/2025) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Voting Record | Lean left · DW-NOMINATE -0.47 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking) |
| Support |
LLLCLRR support across the spectrum: 2 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once |
| Committees | Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; House - Energy and Commerce Committee; House - Energy and Commerce Committee; House - Energy and Commerce Committee |
| Latest Action | 06/24/2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. |
| Roll Call Votes | There have been no roll call votes |
| Source | view on congress.gov → |
Introduced in House (02/27/2025)
This bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to submit a report to Congress that assesses the feasibility, value, cost, and security implications of a submarine fiber optic cable to connect the contiguous United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria. The report must include, among other topics, an assessment of the potential establishment of a data center and high-security cloud services facility in the U.S. Virgin Islands for certain national security communications.
119 HR 1737 EH: To direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria. 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. IB 119th CONGRESS1st Session H. R. 1737
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria.
1.Assessment of trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable (a)ReportNot later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies as necessary, shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria, to enhance the national security of the United States. (b)ElementsThe report required by subsection (a) shall include an assessment of— (1)the digital security, national security, and economic opportunities associated with a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable described in subsection (a); (2)the lifespan of submarine fiber optic cables currently connecting the United States Virgin Islands to the contiguous United States; (3)the current security of telecommunications between the contiguous United States and the United States Virgin Islands; (4)the readiness of telecommunications infrastructure in the United States Virgin Islands to support a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable described in subsection (a); (5)the potential for engagement with trusted entities in the deployment of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable described in subsection (a), and the associated geopolitical and economic advantages; (6)the potential connectivity opportunities to maximize investments in the United States economy through the use of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable described in subsection (a); (7)the value, cost, and feasibility of establishing a data center and high-security cloud services facility, with independent power generation, in the United States Virgin Islands for communications of the United States Africa Command, communications of the United States Special Operations Command, and national security communications; (8)the state of submarine fiber optic cables connected to United States telecommunications infrastructure; and (9)any other related matters the Secretary determines are appropriate. (c)No mandatory data collectionThe Secretary may not require any entity to provide data for purposes of preparing the report required by subsection (a). (d)FormThe report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form without any designation relating to dissemination control, but may include a classified annex. (e)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)Not trustedThe term not trusted means, with respect to an entity, that the entity is determined by the Secretary to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States, or the security and safety of United States persons, based solely on one or more determination described under paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 2(c) of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (47 U.S.C. 1601(c)). (2)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. (3)TrustedThe term trusted means, with respect to an entity, that the Secretary has not determined that the entity is not trusted. Passed the House of Representatives June 23, 2025.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.
119 HR 1737 IH: To direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria. U.S. House of Representatives 2025-02-27 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. 1737IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 27, 2025Ms. Plaskett (for herself and Mr. Fulcher) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria.1.Assessment of trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable(a)ReportNot later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies as necessary, shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria, to enhance the national security of the United States.(b)ElementsThe report required by subsection (a) shall include an assessment of—(1)the digital security, national security, and economic opportunities associated with a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable described in subsection (a); (2)the lifespan of submarine fiber optic cables currently connecting the United States Virgin Islands to the contiguous United States; (3)the current security of telecommunications between the contiguous United States and the United States Virgin Islands; (4)the readiness of telecommunications infrastructure in the United States Virgin Islands to support a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable described in subsection (a);(5)the potential for engagement with trusted entities in the deployment of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable described in subsection (a), and the associated geopolitical and economic advantages; (6)the potential connectivity opportunities to maximize investments in the United States economy through the use of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable described in subsection (a); (7)the value, cost, and feasibility of establishing a data center and high-security cloud services facility, with independent power generation, in the United States Virgin Islands for communications of the United States Africa Command, communications of the United States Special Operations Command, and national security communications;(8)the state of submarine fiber optic cables connected to United States telecommunications infrastructure; and(9)any other related matters the Secretary determines are appropriate. (c)No mandatory data collectionThe Secretary may not require any entity to provide data for purposes of preparing the report required by subsection (a).(d)FormThe report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form without any designation relating to dissemination control, but may include a classified annex.(e)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Not trustedThe term not trusted means, with respect to an entity, that the entity is determined by the Secretary to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States, or the security and safety of United States persons, based solely on one or more determination described under paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 2(c) of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (47 U.S.C. 1601(c)).(2)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. (3)TrustedThe term trusted means, with respect to an entity, that the Secretary has not determined that the entity is not trusted.
119 HR 1737 : To direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria. U.S. House of Representatives 2025-06-24 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. 1737IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 24, 2025Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationAN ACTTo direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria.1.Assessment of trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable(a)ReportNot later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies as necessary, shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria, to enhance the national security of the United States.(b)ElementsThe report required by subsection (a) shall include an assessment of—(1)the digital security, national security, and economic opportunities associated with a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable described in subsection (a); (2)the lifespan of submarine fiber optic cables currently connecting the United States Virgin Islands to the contiguous United States; (3)the current security of telecommunications between the contiguous United States and the United States Virgin Islands; (4)the readiness of telecommunications infrastructure in the United States Virgin Islands to support a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable described in subsection (a);(5)the potential for engagement with trusted entities in the deployment of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable described in subsection (a), and the associated geopolitical and economic advantages; (6)the potential connectivity opportunities to maximize investments in the United States economy through the use of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable described in subsection (a); (7)the value, cost, and feasibility of establishing a data center and high-security cloud services facility, with independent power generation, in the United States Virgin Islands for communications of the United States Africa Command, communications of the United States Special Operations Command, and national security communications;(8)the state of submarine fiber optic cables connected to United States telecommunications infrastructure; and(9)any other related matters the Secretary determines are appropriate. (c)No mandatory data collectionThe Secretary may not require any entity to provide data for purposes of preparing the report required by subsection (a).(d)FormThe report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form without any designation relating to dissemination control, but may include a classified annex.(e)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Not trustedThe term not trusted means, with respect to an entity, that the entity is determined by the Secretary to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States, or the security and safety of United States persons, based solely on one or more determination described under paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 2(c) of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (47 U.S.C. 1601(c)).(2)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. (3)TrustedThe term trusted means, with respect to an entity, that the Secretary has not determined that the entity is not trusted.Passed the House of Representatives June 23, 2025.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.
119 HR 1737 RH: To direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria. U.S. House of Representatives 2025-06-12 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. IBUnion Calendar No. 121119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1737[Report No. 119–155]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 27, 2025Ms. Plaskett (for herself and Mr. Fulcher) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceJune 12, 2025Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printedA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria.1.Assessment of trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable(a)ReportNot later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies as necessary, shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria, to enhance the national security of the United States.(b)ElementsThe report required by subsection (a) shall include an assessment of—(1)the digital security, national security, and economic opportunities associated with a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable described in subsection (a); (2)the lifespan of submarine fiber optic cables currently connecting the United States Virgin Islands to the contiguous United States; (3)the current security of telecommunications between the contiguous United States and the United States Virgin Islands; (4)the readiness of telecommunications infrastructure in the United States Virgin Islands to support a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable described in subsection (a);(5)the potential for engagement with trusted entities in the deployment of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable described in subsection (a), and the associated geopolitical and economic advantages; (6)the potential connectivity opportunities to maximize investments in the United States economy through the use of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable described in subsection (a); (7)the value, cost, and feasibility of establishing a data center and high-security cloud services facility, with independent power generation, in the United States Virgin Islands for communications of the United States Africa Command, communications of the United States Special Operations Command, and national security communications;(8)the state of submarine fiber optic cables connected to United States telecommunications infrastructure; and(9)any other related matters the Secretary determines are appropriate. (c)No mandatory data collectionThe Secretary may not require any entity to provide data for purposes of preparing the report required by subsection (a).(d)FormThe report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form without any designation relating to dissemination control, but may include a classified annex.(e)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Not trustedThe term not trusted means, with respect to an entity, that the entity is determined by the Secretary to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States, or the security and safety of United States persons, based solely on one or more determination described under paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 2(c) of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (47 U.S.C. 1601(c)).(2)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. (3)TrustedThe term trusted means, with respect to an entity, that the Secretary has not determined that the entity is not trusted.June 12, 2025Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
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.
| Date | Chamber | All Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 02/27/2025 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 02/27/2025 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 02/27/2025 | House floor actions | Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. |
| 03/04/2025 | House committee actions | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held |
| 03/04/2025 | House committee actions | Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote. |
| 06/12/2025 | Library of Congress | Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-155. |
| 06/12/2025 | House floor actions | Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-155. |
| 06/12/2025 | House floor actions | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 121. |
| 06/23/2025 | House floor actions | Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. |
| 06/23/2025 | House floor actions | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2847-2848) |
| 06/23/2025 | House floor actions | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1737. |
| 06/23/2025 | Library of Congress | Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2847) |
| 06/23/2025 | House floor actions | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2847) |
| 06/23/2025 | House floor actions | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 06/24/2025 | Senate | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. |
| Title Type | Title |
|---|---|
| Display Title | To direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria. |
| Official Titles from EH (Engrossed in House) bill text | To direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria. |
| Official Title as Introduced | To direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria. |
There are no amendments to this bill.
* = Original cosponsor
| Committee | Activity |
|---|---|
| Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee | 06/24/2025 Referred To |
| House - Energy and Commerce Committee | 06/12/2025 Reported By |
| House - Energy and Commerce Committee | 03/04/2025 Markup By |
| House - Energy and Commerce Committee | 02/27/2025 Referred To |
No related bill information was received for H.R. 1737.
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.