What does Preamble of Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2026 do?

This bill aims to enhance United States Government strategic coordination regarding the security, installation, maintenance, and repair of international subsea fiber-optic cables. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 24, 2026, by Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, along with Mr. Meeks.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2026.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2026 do?

This section defines terms used throughout the Act. “Agency” is defined by reference to section 3502 of title 44, United States Code. “Appropriate congressional committees” refers to specific committees in the Senate and House of Representatives. “Appropriate Federal agencies” includes the Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Department of State, Federal Communications Commission, Department of the Treasury, and Department of the Judiciary, as well as any additional agencies determined by the President. “Critical undersea infrastructure” encompasses both subsea telecommunications and subsea energy infrastructure. “Interagency committee” refers to the entity established under section 301(b) of this Act. “Non-Federal entity” includes individuals, organizations, or businesses involved in the operation, maintenance, repair, or construction of critical subsea infrastructure. “Sabotage” is defined as actions intended to cause damage to critical undersea infrastructure. “Subsea energy infrastructure” includes cables, pipelines, and equipment installed on the seabed for electricity transmission, natural gas/oil/hydrogen transport, and related facilities. “Subsea telecommunications infrastructure” refers to subsea fiber-optic cables and related equipment used to transmit communications and data.

What does FINDINGS. of Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2026 do?

This section outlines findings related to the increasing threat of sabotage against critical undersea infrastructure. Numerous incidents of damage to subsea infrastructure have occurred between January 2022 and January 2026, impacting telecommunications cables, natural gas pipelines, and electricity interconnection cables in various regions including the Baltic Sea, Taiwan Strait, and the Trans-Pacific route. Examples of damage include incidents affecting Nord Stream pipelines, cables connecting Taiwan to various locations, and the Balticconnector pipeline. International organizations have responded to these threats, with NATO establishing the Critical Undersea Infrastructure Network for information sharing. The European Union has published an Action Plan on Cable Security, and ASEAN has released guidelines for strengthening submarine cable resilience. The Quad (United States, India, Japan, and Australia) has reaffirmed its commitment to cable connectivity and resilience, planning a subsea cables forum and encouraging regulatory harmonization.

What does SENSE OF CONGRESS. of Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2026 do?

This section expresses the sense of Congress regarding critical undersea infrastructure. It highlights the vital strategic and economic links this infrastructure provides between the United States and its partners. According to NATO, undersea cables facilitate an estimated $10 trillion in daily transfers and transmit 95% of global data. The section notes an increase in suspected sabotage incidents targeting undersea infrastructure since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It emphasizes the U.S. government's role in international bodies focused on protecting this infrastructure, promoting resilience, and advancing relevant regulations. The section encourages a more active U.S. role in various NATO and international initiatives related to undersea infrastructure security. It advocates for U.S. leadership in promoting resilient networks, enhancing situational awareness, and formalizing collective responses among allies and partners. While acknowledging the responsibility of private sector stakeholders, the section asserts that the U.S. and allied governments need to increase their involvement in safeguarding undersea infrastructure.

What does ENHANCING UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ENGAGEMENT AT THE of Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2026 do?

This section directs the Secretary of State to increase United States Government engagement in international bodies, including the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), to advance U.S. national security and economic interests. The Secretary of State must coordinate with an interagency committee to achieve this engagement. The Secretary of State is required to submit a report to congressional committees annually for five years, starting one year after enactment. The report must detail how ICPC engagement can support U.S. national security objectives related to undersea infrastructure. The report must also outline key objectives for protecting U.S. national security interests within the ICPC. The report must describe how entities from the People’s Republic of China leverage their engagement within the ICPC. The report must describe how encouraging other countries and regional bodies to join the ICPC can improve global undersea telecommunications infrastructure policies. The report must identify other international bodies relevant to critical undersea infrastructure where increased U.S. diplomatic engagement is warranted.

What does IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO CRITICAL UNDERSEA of Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes sanctions against foreign persons responsible for sabotage or facilitation of sabotage against critical undersea infrastructure. The President, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Treasury, is authorized to impose these sanctions. Sanctions include blocking property within the United States, visa ineligibility, and revocation of existing visas. The President must report to Congress within 15 days of imposing sanctions, providing a detailed justification. Exceptions exist for compliance with international agreements, law enforcement activities, intelligence activities, and the importation of goods. The President may waive sanctions if deemed in the national security interests of the United States, with a written certification and report to Congress.

What does REPORT ON ACTIVITIES BY THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND of Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2026 do?

This section mandates a report to Congress regarding the activities of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Russian Federation concerning undersea infrastructure. The Secretary of State, in coordination with other Federal agencies, must submit this report within 180 days of the Act's enactment and annually for five years. The report must describe the subsea cable manufacturing, installation, and maintenance capabilities of the PRC and Russia. It requires an analysis of the Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research (GUGI) of the Russian Federation, including its operations, capabilities, and efforts to circumvent sanctions. The report also requires an analysis of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (GRU) and its activities related to undersea infrastructure. It mandates an analysis of the missions, capabilities, and activities of the People's Liberation Army, the PRC Coast Guard, and other PRC-based entities. The report must assess cooperation between Russia and the PRC on undersea infrastructure surveillance and sabotage. It requires a list of documented anomalous vessel behavior around critical undersea infrastructure. The report must assess the involvement of PRC-based entities in the laying, maintenance, and repair of U.S.-invested cables. The initial report will cover the period from January 1, 2022, through the Act's enactment date; subsequent reports will cover the previous calendar year.

What does REPORT ON POTENTIAL SABOTAGE OF CRITICAL UNDERSEA of Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2026 do?

This section requires the Director of National Intelligence to submit a report on potential sabotage of critical undersea infrastructure. The report must assess the likely cause and, if applicable, the attribution of specific incidents of reported sabotage. These incidents include damage to subsea telecommunications infrastructure connecting Norway and Svalbard (January 2022), the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines (September 2022), and various cables in the Taiwan Strait (February 2023), Baltic Sea (October 2023, November 2024, December 2024, January 2026), and the Pacific Ocean (January 2025, February 2025, January 2026). The assessment for the Nord Stream sabotage must include details on Russian military vessel activity, intercepted vessels, technical feasibility of divers conducting the sabotage, and potential motivations related to gas delivery contracts and insurance implications. The report must also describe law enforcement investigations, assess the presence of Russian vessels near other suspected sabotage sites, and include any attribution information received from allies.

What does ENGAGING FOREIGN PARTNERS TO STRENGTHEN THE SECURITY OF of Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2026 do?

This section expresses the sense of Congress that expanding international critical undersea infrastructure presents challenges to national security. It states the United States is uniquely positioned to support international partners in enhancing the resilience of this infrastructure. The Secretary of State is directed to engage with foreign countries to improve security and reduce barriers related to undersea infrastructure installation, monitoring, maintenance, and repair. The Secretary of State is also directed to work with allies and partners to support the development of a multinational fleet of cable repair ships. The Secretary of State must submit a report to Congress every year for five years, detailing efforts to strengthen the security of international undersea infrastructure and identify foreign policies or laws that create barriers.

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Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2026

Last updated: 3/24/2026 · Introduced: 3/24/2026

Author: Joe Wilson (R-SC)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill directs the Secretary of State to increase U.S. engagement in international organizations like the International Cable Protection Committee to advance national security and economic interests.
It authorizes the President to impose sanctions on foreign individuals or entities responsible for sabotage or facilitation of sabotage against critical undersea infrastructure.
The bill mandates a comprehensive report to Congress detailing the activities of the People’s Republic of China and Russia concerning undersea infrastructure, including manufacturing, installation, and potential sabotage.
It requires the Director of National Intelligence to assess potential sabotage incidents, including those affecting cables in the Baltic Sea, Taiwan Strait, and other locations, and provide attribution information.
The legislation establishes an interagency committee to improve coordination among U.S. government agencies and streamline licensing and permitting processes related to subsea telecommunications infrastructure.

119th Congressin committeeS. 3249(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 1 more.

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TITLE I

-INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION AND ENGAGEMENT ON CRITICAL UNDERSEA

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TITLE II

-DEPARTMENT OF STATE CRITICAL UNDERSEA INFRASTRUCTURE

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TITLE III

-SUBSEA TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE COORDINATION,

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