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Bill would limit sanctuary permits for undersea internet cables

Passed one chamberH.R. 261Latest action

Sponsor: Earl L. "Buddy" Carter · Representative · GA

AIDecoded by AI · checked against the record
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Official title: Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025

119th Congress

Topics: Environment & energy

Introduced:

Read the official bill on Congress.gov

In plain words

The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.

HR 261 would stop Commerce from requiring extra sanctuary permits for cables already approved by another agency.

35-second read · 4 questions answered below

What does this do?

HR 261 changes how the Secretary of Commerce regulates undersea fiber optic cables passing through national marine sanctuaries. If a cable project already holds a valid license, lease, or permit from another federal or state agency, the Secretary could not block it or require an additional sanctuary permit. The bill also removes some existing restrictions tied to sanctuary special use permits.

Who does it affect?

This affects telecommunications and internet infrastructure companies, federal agencies like NOAA, and indirectly anyone relying on international internet connectivity.

Why does it matter?

Cable projects would face one less layer of federal permitting, which could speed approvals but reduce direct oversight by ocean conservation officials, though inter-agency coordination requirements remain.

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Read the official bill on Congress.gov

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Where does it stand?

  1. IntroducedJan 9, 2025
  2. House committee
  3. House vote
  4. SenateYou are here · Feb 12, 2026
  5. The president's desk

Right now: it passed the House, and the official record shows nothing new since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.

Latest action: — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Data as of October 9, 2026

Recorded votes

Roll-call votes recorded since January 3, 2025.

  1. House · · Roll call 67

    As recorded

    Question
    On Passage
    Result:
    Passed
    218
    Nay
    212
    0
    2

    Republicans 215 yes, 1 no, 2 not voting · Democrats 3 yes, 211 no

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

  2. House · · Roll call 66

    As recorded

    Question
    On
    Result:
    Failed
    214
    Nay
    216
    0
    2

    Republicans 216 no, 2 not voting · Democrats 214 yes

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

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