H.R. 1737 Passed the House Science, Technology, Communications

To direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large] Introduced February 27, 2025 Cosponsors 1 (1 R) Latest action June 24, 2025

Summary

This bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to submit a report to Congress that assesses the feasibility, value, cost, and security implications of a submarine fiber optic cable to connect the contiguous United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria. The report must include, among other topics, an assessment of the potential establishment of a data center and high-security cloud services facility in the U.S. Virgin Islands for certain national security communications.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Jun 24, 2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  2. Jun 23, 2025 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. Jun 23, 2025 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2847)
  4. Jun 23, 2025 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1737.
  5. Jun 23, 2025 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2847-2848)
  6. Jun 23, 2025 Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  7. Jun 12, 2025 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 121.
  8. Jun 12, 2025 Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-155.
  9. Mar 4, 2025 Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
  10. Mar 4, 2025 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  11. Feb 27, 2025 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  12. Feb 27, 2025 Introduced in House

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