Undersea Cable Control Act

The Undersea Cable Control Act would prevent foreign adversaries from acquiring items necessary to construct, maintain, or operate undersea cable infrastructure. The bill defines foreign adversaries as foreign governments or entities whose actions significantly harm U.S. national security. If enacted, the President would be required to negotiate agreements with allied nations within one year to ensure these critical materials remain unavailable to adversaries, while the Department of Commerce would establish export controls and develop a comprehensive strategy to protect undersea cable supply chains.

Undersea cables carry the vast majority of international data and communications traffic, making them critical infrastructure for global connectivity and national security. By controlling access to materials needed for these cables, the bill aims to prevent hostile nations from gaining leverage over U.S. communications infrastructure or building competing systems that could bypass American oversight.

The bill passed the House and is currently under review in the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. If approved, it would require the President to submit annual reports to Congress detailing efforts to implement the strategy. For everyday citizens, this could affect international internet speeds, data privacy, and the cost of international communications services, though the primary intent is to strengthen national security rather than directly impact consumer experience.