WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced the bipartisan “Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2025” to enhance the U.S. government’s international engagement as it relates to the security, installation and maintenance and repair of subsea fiber-optic cables. The bill calls for increased U.S. government engagement in certain international bodies related to subsea cables and calls for additional investments in Department of State resources to advance U.S. interests on subsea cables.
“Subsea fiber-optic cables form the bedrock of global internet traffic and are strategic, critical infrastructure,” said Ranking Member Shaheen. “As the world witnesses an uptick in cable cuts such as in the Baltic Sea and the Taiwan Strait this past year, the United States must position itself to respond to these evolving threats. I’m proud to introduce this legislation with my colleague Senator Barrasso to strengthen public-private sector coordination while enhancing the U.S. government’s ability to advance priorities on subsea cables overseas.”
“Subsea fiber-optic cables are a lifeline for international communication, including internet access, financial transactions and military coordination. China, Russia and other adversaries continue to target these cables in hopes of disrupting communications in Taiwan and for our allies across Europe and the Middle East,” said Senator Barrasso. “We must ensure this vital international telecommunications infrastructure is safeguarded from terrorist threats. Senator Shaheen’s and my legislation will increase international coordination and better protect subsea cables from future targeted attacks.”
Key provisions of the bill:
Calls for increased diplomatic efforts with U.S. allies and partners to address the security, maintenance and repair of subsea fiber-optic cables, including by requiring the Department of State to hire at least two dedicated full-time staff to advance these efforts;
Strengthens U.S. government engagement in international bodies such as the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) to advance U.S. interests;
Requires the President to impose sanctions against foreign individuals who have intentionally damaged subsea fiber-optic cables;
Requires the President to establish an interagency committee to coordinate efforts related to subsea fiber-optic cables and mandates a federal strategy to work with industry partners, streamline permitting and to prepare for malicious threats; and
Requires federal agencies to develop procedures to ensure the timely communication of threat information with private subsea cable operators and owners to improve their situational awareness and prepare protective measures.
Full text of the bill can be found HERE.
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