Only the right has signed this so far (Bill Ranking)
H.R. 261 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)
8 members · Left 0 · Center 0 · Right 8 (Bill Ranking)
| Sponsor | Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" (R-GA) (Introduced 01/09/2025) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Voting Record | Right · DW-NOMINATE +0.56 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking) |
| Support |
LLLCLRR support across the spectrum: 8 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once |
| Committees | Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; House - Natural Resources Committee; House - Natural Resources Committee; House - Natural Resources Committee; House - Natural Resources Committee; House - Natural Resources Committee; House - Natural Resources Committee |
| Latest Action | 02/12/2026 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. |
| Roll Call Votes | 2 |
| Source | view on congress.gov → |
Introduced in House (01/09/2025)
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.
The bill also authorizes Commerce to direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to engage in interagency cooperation regarding federal agency actions that are likely to destroy, cause the loss of, or injure a resource in a national marine sanctuary and involve covered activities.
119 HR 261 EH: Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 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 CONGRESS2d Session H. R. 261
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit the Secretary of Commerce from prohibiting, or requiring any permit or other authorization for, the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if such activities have been authorized by a Federal or State agency.
1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025.
2.Prohibition on prohibiting, or requiring permits or other authorizations for, undersea fiber optic cables authorized by a Federal or State agencyThe National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 310 the following: 310A.Prohibition on prohibiting, or requiring permits or other authorizations for, undersea fiber optic cables authorized by a Federal or State agency (a)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Secretary may not prohibit, or require any permit, including any special use permit, or other authorization for, the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if a license, lease, or permit has been issued by a Federal or State agency, and is in effect, authorizing such installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery. (b)Interagency cooperationNothing in this section shall be construed as altering existing requirements regarding interagency cooperation under section 304(d) in any Federal agency action described in that section and involving the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary..
3.Removing restrictions on activities covered by sanctuary special use permitsSection 310(c) of National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1441(c)) is amended— (1)in paragraph (1), by adding and at the end; (2)by striking paragraphs (2) and (3); and (3)by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (2). Passed the House of Representatives February 11, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.
119 HR 261 IH: Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives 2025-01-09 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. 261IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 9, 2025Mr. Carter of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Dunn of Florida, Mrs. Cammack, Mrs. Kiggans of Virginia, Mr. Fry, and Mr. Pfluger) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesA BILLTo amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit requiring an authorization for the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if such activities have previously been authorized by a Federal or State agency.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025.2.Prohibition on requiring authorizations for undersea fiber optic cables previously authorized by Federal or State agenciesThe National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 310 the following: 310A.Prohibition on requiring authorizations for undersea fiber optic cables previously authorized by Federal or State agencies(a)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Secretary may not prohibit or require any authorization for the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if a license, lease, or permit has been issued by a Federal or State agency authorizing such installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery. (b)Interagency cooperationThe Secretary may direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to engage in interagency cooperation under section 304(d) in any Federal agency action described in that section and involving the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary..
119 HR 261 : Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives 2026-02-12 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. IIB119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 261IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 12, 2026Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationAN ACTTo amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit the Secretary of Commerce from prohibiting, or requiring any permit or other authorization for, the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if such activities have been authorized by a Federal or State agency.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025.2.Prohibition on prohibiting, or requiring permits or other authorizations for, undersea fiber optic cables authorized by a Federal or State agencyThe National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 310 the following: 310A.Prohibition on prohibiting, or requiring permits or other authorizations for, undersea fiber optic cables authorized by a Federal or State agency(a)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Secretary may not prohibit, or require any permit, including any special use permit, or other authorization for, the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if a license, lease, or permit has been issued by a Federal or State agency, and is in effect, authorizing such installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery. (b)Interagency cooperationNothing in this section shall be construed as altering existing requirements regarding interagency cooperation under section 304(d) in any Federal agency action described in that section and involving the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary..3.Removing restrictions on activities covered by sanctuary special use permitsSection 310(c) of National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1441(c)) is amended—(1)in paragraph (1), by adding and at the end;(2)by striking paragraphs (2) and (3); and(3)by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (2).Passed the House of Representatives February 11, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.
119 HR 261 RH: Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives 2025-07-02 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 Union Calendar No. 146 119th CONGRESS1st Session H. R. 261 [Report No. 119–181]
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 9, 2025 Mr. Carter of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Dunn of Florida, Mrs. Cammack, Mrs. Kiggans of Virginia, Mr. Fry, and Mr. Pfluger) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources July 2, 2025 Additional sponsors: Mr. Bentz and Mr. Begich July 2, 2025 Reported with amendments, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on January 9, 2025
A BILL To amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit requiring an authorization for the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if such activities have previously been authorized by a Federal or State agency.
1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025.
2.Prohibition on prohibiting, or requiring permits or other authorizations for, undersea fiber optic cables authorized by a Federal or State agencyThe National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 310 the following: 310A.Prohibition on prohibiting, or requiring permits or other authorizations for, undersea fiber optic cables authorized by a Federal or State agency (a)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Secretary may not prohibit, or require any permit, including any special use permit, or other authorization for, the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if a license, lease, or permit has been issued by a Federal or State agency, and is in effect, authorizing such installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery. (b)Interagency cooperationNothing in this section shall be construed as altering existing requirements regarding interagency cooperation under section 304(d) in any Federal agency action described in that section and involving the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary..
3.Removing restrictions on activities covered by sanctuary special use permitsSection 310(c) of National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1441(c)) is amended— (1)in paragraph (1), by adding and at the end; (2)by striking paragraphs (2) and (3); and (3)by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (2). Amend the title so as to read: A bill to amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit the Secretary of Commerce from prohibiting, or requiring any permit or other authorization for, the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if such activities have been authorized by a Federal or State agency.. July 2, 2025 Reported with amendments, committed 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 01/09/2025 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 01/09/2025 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 01/09/2025 | House floor actions | Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. |
| 01/21/2025 | House committee actions | Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries. |
| 01/23/2025 | House committee actions | Subcommittee Hearings Held |
| 06/25/2025 | House committee actions | Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged |
| 06/25/2025 | House committee actions | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held |
| 06/25/2025 | House committee actions | Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 18. |
| 07/02/2025 | Library of Congress | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-181. |
| 07/02/2025 | House floor actions | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-181. |
| 07/02/2025 | House floor actions | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 146. |
| 02/09/2026 | House floor actions | Rules 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. |
| 02/11/2026 | House floor actions | Rules 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. |
| 02/11/2026 | House floor actions | Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1057. (consideration: CR H2161-2166) |
| 02/11/2026 | House floor actions | 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. |
| 02/11/2026 | House floor actions | DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 261. |
| 02/11/2026 | House floor actions | The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. |
| 02/11/2026 | House floor actions | Mr. Carbajal moved to recommit to the Committee on Natural Resources. (text: CR H2166) |
| 02/11/2026 | House floor actions | The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX. |
| 02/11/2026 | House floor actions | POSTPONED 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. |
| 02/11/2026 | House floor actions | Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2169-2171) |
| 02/11/2026 | House floor actions | On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 216 (Roll no. 66). |
| 02/11/2026 | Library of Congress | Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 212 (Roll no. 67). |
| 02/11/2026 | House floor actions | On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 212 (Roll no. 67). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2162) |
| 02/11/2026 | House floor actions | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 02/11/2026 | House floor actions | The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection. |
| 02/12/2026 | Senate | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. |
| Title Type | Title |
|---|---|
| Short Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill text | Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 |
| Display Title | Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 |
| Official Titles from EH (Engrossed in House) bill text | To amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit the Secretary of Commerce from prohibiting, or requiring any permit or other authorization for, the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if such activities have been authorized by a Federal or State agency. |
| Short Title(s) as Passed House | Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 |
| Official Titles as Amended by House | To amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit the Secretary of Commerce from prohibiting, or requiring any permit or other authorization for, the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if such activities have been authorized by a Federal or State agency |
| Short Title(s) as Reported to House | Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 |
| Short Title(s) as Introduced | Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 |
| Official Title as Introduced | To amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit requiring an authorization for the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if such activities have previously been authorized by a Federal or State agency. |
| Amendment | Sponsor | Purpose | Latest Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| HAMDT 165 | 02/11/2026 On agreeing to the Rules amendment (A001) Agreed to without objection. |
* = Original cosponsor
| Committee | Activity |
|---|---|
| Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee | 02/12/2026 Referred To |
| House - Natural Resources Committee | 02/11/2026 Unknown |
| House - Natural Resources Committee | 02/11/2026 Unknown |
| House - Natural Resources Committee | 07/02/2025 Reported By |
| House - Natural Resources Committee | 06/25/2025 Markup By |
| House - Natural Resources Committee | 06/25/2025 Discharged from |
| House - Natural Resources Committee | 01/09/2025 Referred To |
Policy Area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
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.