WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 1223 · 119th Congress

ANCHOR Act

Passed HouseScience, Technology, Communications
IntroducedFeb 12, 2025
Passed HouseMay 20, 2025
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, May 21, 2025: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The House passed it 412–11. All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 0 sections of existing law and would add 1 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 1223 doesn't change any existing section of law. It would create 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (May 21, 2025).

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Plan to improve cybersecurity and telecommunications of U.S. Academic Research Fleet
What the words would change: every change, in place (0)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

    From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

    What it does

    Sourced

    Accelerating Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for Oceanic Research Act or the ANCHOR Act

    This bill requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a plan to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications capabilities of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet (ARF).

    ARF is comprised of U.S.-flagged vessels that provide at-sea laboratories where oceanographic scientists, educators, and students research and learn about marine science.

    The bill requires the plan to include assessments of

    • telecommunications and networking needs of ARF, consistent with typical scientific missions;

    • cybersecurity needs appropriate for the operation of ARF vessels and their specific research functions;

    • the costs necessary to meet these needs;

    • the time required to implement necessary upgrades; and

    • opportunities for the adoption of common solutions or consortial licensing agreements, or for the centralization of cybersecurity, telecommunications, or data management at a single facility.

    The plan must also include a spending plan for the NSF, the Office of Naval Research, nonfederal owners of ARF vessels, and users of the vessels to cover identified costs.

    Among other factors specified in the bill, the NSF must consider, as appropriate, the network capabilities necessary to meet mission needs (e.g., to upload data to cloud-based or shoreside servers), international standards and guidance for information security, and requirements for controlled unclassified or classified information.

    The plan must be provided to Congress within 18 months of the bill's enactment, and the NSF must later report to Congress on the plan's implementation.

    Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Feb 12, 2025).

    Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

    What has happened

    Sourced
    1. May 21, 2025Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.Senate
    2. May 20, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
    3. May 20, 2025On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 - 11 (Roll no. 136). (text: 5/19/2025 CR H2113-2114) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
    4. May 20, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 - 11 (Roll no. 136). (text: 5/19/2025 CR H2113-2114) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
    5. May 20, 2025Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2168)House floor actions
    6. May 19, 2025At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Babin objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.House floor actions
    7. May 19, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1223.House floor actions
    8. May 19, 2025Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2113-2115)House floor actions
    9. May 19, 2025Mr. Fong moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.House floor actions
    10. Apr 29, 2025Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.House committee actions
    11. Apr 29, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
    12. Feb 12, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.House floor actions
    13. Feb 12, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
    14. Feb 12, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

    Show key steps only

    Recorded votes

    Sourced
    1. May 20, 2025 · HousePassed 412–11
      Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes
      On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · needed two-thirds
      R 206 yes, 11 noD 206 yes, 0 noEach member · Record

    Cosponsors

    • Nicholas J. Begich III R-AK-At Large
    • Sarah McBride D-DE-At Large
    • Jay Obernolte R-CA-23
    • Josh Riley D-NY-19
    • Haley M. Stevens D-MI-11