H.R. 261 Passed the House Public Lands and Natural Resources

Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025

To amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit requiring an authorization for the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if such activities have previously been authorized by a Federal or State agency.

Introduced
Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law

Sponsor Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] Introduced January 9, 2025 Cosponsors 7 (7 R) Latest action February 12, 2026

Summary

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 authorize the covered activity. Covered activities are the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary.
The bill also authorizes Commerce to direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to engage in interagency cooperation regarding federal agency actions that are likely to destroy, cause the loss of, or injure a resource in a national marine sanctuary and involve covered activities.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Roll-call votes

HouseFeb 11, 2026·Roll 67·H.R. 261
Undersea Cable Protection Act
On Passage

Passed218–212
R 215–1 D 3–211
HouseFeb 11, 2026·Roll 66·H.R. 261
Undersea Cable Protection Act
On Motion to Recommit

Failed214–216
R 0–216 D 214–0

Actions

Feb 12, 2026 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Feb 11, 2026 The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Feb 11, 2026 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 11, 2026 On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 212 (Roll no. 67). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2162)
Feb 11, 2026 Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 212 (Roll no. 67).
Feb 11, 2026 On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 216 (Roll no. 66).
Feb 11, 2026 Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2169-2171)
Feb 11, 2026 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 261, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Carbajal demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
Feb 11, 2026 The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
Feb 11, 2026 Mr. Carbajal moved to recommit to the Committee on Natural Resources. (text: CR H2166)
Feb 11, 2026 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Feb 11, 2026 DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 261.
Feb 11, 2026 Rule provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261 and H.R. 3617. The resolution provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617 under a closed rule and provides for one motion to recommit H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617, and one motion to commit S. 1383.
Feb 11, 2026 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1057. (consideration: CR H2161-2166)
Feb 11, 2026 Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1057 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261 and H.R. 3617. The resolution provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617 under a closed rule and provides for one motion to recommit H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617, and one motion to commit S. 1383.
Feb 9, 2026 Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1042 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2189, H.R. 261 and H.R. 3617. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617 under a closed rule and provides for one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
Jul 2, 2025 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 146.
Jul 2, 2025 Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-181.
Jun 25, 2025 Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 18.
Jun 25, 2025 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jun 25, 2025 Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
Jan 23, 2025 Subcommittee Hearings Held
Jan 21, 2025 Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
Jan 9, 2025 Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Jan 9, 2025 Introduced in House

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