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.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1737
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-24: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T19:53:57Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation directs the Secretary of Commerce to prepare and submit a report to Congress assessing the value, cost, and feasibility of building a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable. The cable would connect the mainland United States, the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), Ghana, and Nigeria, with the goal of strengthening U.S. national security through improved telecommunications infrastructure.
Key Provisions
- Timeline and Submission: The Secretary must submit the report within one year of the bill's enactment to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Consultation: The Secretary will consult with other federal department and agency heads as needed.
- Report Elements: The report must evaluate:
- Digital security, national security, and economic benefits of the proposed cable.
- Lifespan of existing submarine cables linking the USVI to the mainland U.S.
- Current security of telecommunications between the mainland U.S. and USVI.
- Readiness of USVI's telecommunications infrastructure to support the new cable.
- Opportunities for partnering with "trusted" entities (those not posing risks to U.S. security) and related geopolitical/economic advantages.
- Ways the cable could boost U.S. economic investments through enhanced connectivity.
- Value, cost, and feasibility of building a data center and high-security cloud facility (with independent power) in the USVI for U.S. military communications, including those for the U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Special Operations Command.
- Overall status of submarine cables connected to U.S. telecommunications systems.
- Any other relevant topics determined by the Secretary.
- Data Collection Limits: The Secretary cannot force any entity to provide data for the report.
- Format: The report must be unclassified and publicly shareable, but it may include a classified (restricted-access) section.
- Definitions:
- Trusted entity: An organization or company that the Secretary has not identified as a security risk.
- Not trusted entity: One deemed a risk to U.S. national security or safety based on specific federal criteria from the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (a law aimed at removing insecure telecom equipment).
- Secretary: Refers to the Secretary of Commerce, specifically through the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces no direct amendments to prior laws. It builds on the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 by referencing its criteria for identifying secure telecom partners but primarily creates a new reporting requirement to inform future policy on submarine cables and U.S. telecom security.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Could guide decisions by the Department of Commerce, Department of Defense (via military communications needs), and other agencies on investing in secure infrastructure, potentially leading to new projects that enhance national security and reduce reliance on vulnerable telecom routes.
- Citizens: May improve reliable, secure internet and data services in the USVI and mainland U.S., benefiting residents with better connectivity; indirect economic gains could arise from stronger U.S.-Africa ties.
- International Relations: Strengthens U.S. partnerships with Ghana and Nigeria by fostering secure digital links, potentially countering influence from less-trusted global players in telecom (e.g., those from adversarial nations); promotes geopolitical stability in the Atlantic region through shared infrastructure.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Government: Department of Commerce (lead role), congressional committees on energy/commerce and transportation/science, and defense commands (e.g., U.S. Africa Command, Special Operations Command).
- U.S. Territories and Citizens: Residents and infrastructure in the USVI, where new facilities could be built.
- International Partners: Governments and telecom entities in Ghana and Nigeria, which could gain improved connectivity.
- Private Sector: Trusted telecom companies and data center operators involved in cable deployment or cloud services, with opportunities for economic engagement but restrictions on untrusted (risky) entities.
- Broader U.S. Economy: Businesses and investors benefiting from enhanced secure data flows between the U.S. and Africa.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Emphasizes voluntary data collection to respect privacy and avoid regulatory overreach; reliance on existing laws like the 2019 Act ensures consistency in security assessments without creating new enforcement powers.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over commerce and national defense (Article I, Section 8), promoting secure infrastructure as a public good without infringing on private entities' rights.
- Political: Highlights U.S. priorities in digital security and Africa engagement amid global competition for telecom dominance; the unclassified report format encourages transparency and bipartisan oversight, potentially influencing future budgets or treaties on international cables.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-24: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2025-06-23: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-06-23: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2847)
- 2025-06-23: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2847)
- 2025-06-23: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1737.
- 2025-06-23: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2847-2848)
- 2025-06-23: Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2025-06-12: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 121.
- 2025-06-12: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-155.
- 2025-06-12: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-155.
- 2025-03-04: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- 2025-03-04: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- An Act 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. — issued 2025-06-23 — PDF (6 pages)
- 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. — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (4 pages)
- An Act 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. — issued 2025-06-24 — PDF (5 pages)
- 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. — issued 2025-06-12 — PDF (8 pages)