H.R. 261 · 119th Congress · 2025–2026
Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025
H.R. 261 in the 119th Congress (2025–2026) has passed the house — introduced on Jan 9, 2025, sponsored by Earl L. "Buddy" Carter with 7 co-sponsors. Congress held 2 roll call votes on it.
During the 119th Congress (2025–2026), Joe Biden was president, and Republicans held majorities in both the House and Senate.
- Status
- Passed the House
- Introduced
- Jan 9, 2025
- Co-sponsors
- 7
- Policy area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Groups that lobbied
- 7
What it does
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 au…
Summary by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service.
Sponsor
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA). Co-sponsors: 7 Republicans.
Where it stands
- IntroducedJan 9, 2025
- Passed the HouseFeb 11, 2026
- Passed the Senate—
- Sent to the President—
- Became law—
Latest action: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (Feb 12, 2026)
How Congress voted
- On Passage
House · Feb 11, 2026 · Passed218–212 - On Motion to Recommit
House · Feb 11, 2026 · Failed214–216
Every roll call vote on this bill
- Undersea Cable Protection ActHouse · Feb 11, 2026
- Undersea Cable Protection ActHouse · Feb 11, 2026
More bills from Earl L. "Buddy" Carter in the 119th Congress
- H.R. 1521: DOC Access Act of 2025
- H.R. 2493: Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025
- H.R. 7462: Farmers’ AID Relief Act
- H.R. 7528: GAP Supply Act
- H.R. 7686: Rural and Underserved Health Care Staffing Act
- H.R. 8538: Save America’s Family Forests Act of 2026
- H.R. 8678: Zero Tolerance for Political Violence Act of 2026
- H.R. 9266: Chief Chris Eddy’s Law
Other Public Lands and Natural Resources bills in the 119th Congress
- S.J.Res. 11: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United…
- H.J.Res. 60: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the…
- H.R. 618: Apex Area Technical Corrections Act
- H.R. 2215: Salem Maritime National Historical Park Redesignation and Boundary Study Act
- S. 1596: Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act
- H.R. 2316: Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025
- H.J.Res. 133: Requesting the Secretary of the Interior to authorize unique and one-time arrangements for…
- H.J.Res. 104: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the…
- H.J.Res. 105: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the…
- H.J.Res. 106: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the…
Who lobbied on it
7 organizations named this bill in lobbying reports (Jul 2025 – Sep 2026). Biggest spenders among them:
Committees
- Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- Natural Resources Committee
More
From GovInfo bill records, Congressional Research Service summaries, Voteview roll calls and lobbying reports.
Cite or embed this page
Capitol Receipts, “H.R. 261 (119th Congress): Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/bill/119-hr-261/undersea-cable-protection-act-of-2025 (accessed 2026-10-17).