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H.R. 8177119th CongressIn committeeLatest action Apr 2, 2026Decoded by AI · checked against the record
Official title: Critical Undersea Infrastructure Resilience Initiative Act
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govThe plain-language version leads. The official text is always the reference.
The U.S. would monitor, protect, and quickly repair undersea cables near Taiwan, and sanction anyone who sabotages them.
55-second read · 5 questions answered below
This bill directs the U.S. government to protect underwater cables and pipelines near Taiwan that carry internet, phone, and energy services. Within about a year of passage, the government would launch monitoring programs, set up quick-repair systems with allies, increase patrols, and strengthen the cables. The bill also creates a White House-led planning group for possible Taiwan Strait crises and requires it to report to Congress every year for ten years.
This bill most directly affects U.S. federal agencies, Taiwan, regional allies, and any foreign individuals, companies, or ship crews found responsible for damaging undersea infrastructure. Foreign actors found responsible for sabotage could face frozen U.S.-held assets and visa bans.
Congress states that underwater cables near Taiwan have been repeatedly cut or damaged by ships linked to China. The bill sets up tools to respond to that damage and to prepare for larger crises such as a blockade or military conflict in the Taiwan Strait.
AI-drafted summary. Verify it against the official text before you act on it. Read the official bill on Congress.gov
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the President.
Latest action: — Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.