WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 261 · 119th Congress

Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025

Passed HousePublic Lands and Natural Resources
IntroducedJan 9, 2025
Passed HouseFeb 11, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Feb 12, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The House passed it 218–212. All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 2 sections of existing law.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 261 would change 2 sections of existing law. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Feb 12, 2026).

16 U.S.C. 1431 Findings, purposes, and policies; establishment of system

16 U.S.C. 1441 Special use permits

  • (c) Permit terms removed · Sec. 3(1), Sec. 3(2), Sec. 3(3) · see the words
What the words would change: every change, in place (4)

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.

  1. 16 U.S.C. 1431added 310Aby H.R. 261 Sec. 2

    310A. Prohibition on prohibiting, or requiring permits or other authorizations for, undersea fiber optic cables authorized by a Federal or State agency.—(a) In general.— Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Secretary may not prohibit, or require any permit, including any special use permit, or other authorization for, the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if a license, lease, or permit has been issued by a Federal or State agency, and is in effect, authorizing such installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery.(b) Interagency cooperation.— Nothing in this section shall be construed as altering existing requirements regarding interagency cooperation under section 304(d) in any Federal agency action described in that section and involving the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary.

    The bill says: The National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 310 the following:

    Bill text · Current law (16 U.S.C. 1431)

  2. 16 U.S.C. 1441(c)(1)changedby H.R. 261 Sec. 3(1)

    (1) shall authorize the conduct of an activity only if that activity is compatible with the purposes for which the sanctuary is designated and with protection of sanctuary resources; and

    The bill says: in paragraph (1), by adding "and" at the end;

    Bill text · Current law (16 U.S.C. 1441)

  3. 16 U.S.C. 1441(c)removedby H.R. 261 Sec. 3(2)

    The bill says: by striking paragraphs (2) and (3); and

    Bill text · Current law (16 U.S.C. 1441)

  4. 16 U.S.C. 1441(c)renumberedby H.R. 261 Sec. 3(3)

    The bill says: by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (2).

    Bill text · Current law (16 U.S.C. 1441)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

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.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Jan 9, 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

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  1. Feb 12, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.Senate
  2. Feb 11, 2026The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  3. Feb 11, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  4. Feb 11, 2026On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 212 (Roll no. 67). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2162) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  5. Feb 11, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 212 (Roll no. 67). Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  6. Feb 11, 2026On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 216 (Roll no. 66). Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  7. Feb 11, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2169-2171)House floor actions
  8. Feb 11, 2026POSTPONED 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.House floor actions
  9. Feb 11, 2026The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.House floor actions
  10. Feb 11, 2026Mr. Carbajal moved to recommit to the Committee on Natural Resources. (text: CR H2166)House floor actions
  11. Feb 11, 2026The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
  12. Feb 11, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 261.House floor actions
  13. Feb 11, 2026Rule 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.House floor actions
  14. Feb 11, 2026Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1057. (consideration: CR H2161-2166)House floor actions
  15. Feb 11, 2026Rules 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.House floor actions
  16. Feb 9, 2026Rules 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.House floor actions
  17. Jul 2, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 146.House floor actions
  18. Jul 2, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-181.House floor actions
  19. Jul 2, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-181.Library of Congress
  20. Jun 25, 2025Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 18.House committee actions
  21. Jun 25, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  22. Jun 25, 2025Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries DischargedHouse committee actions
  23. Jan 23, 2025Subcommittee Hearings HeldHouse committee actions
  24. Jan 21, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.House committee actions
  25. Jan 9, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.House floor actions
  26. Jan 9, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  27. Jan 9, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Feb 11, 2026 · HousePassed 218–212
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes
    On Passage · needed a majority
    R 215 yes, 1 noD 3 yes, 211 noEach member · Record
1 other recorded vote (procedure and amendments)
  1. Feb 11, 2026 · HouseFailed 214–216
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra no, Ashley Hinson no, Mariannette Miller-Meeks no, Zachary Nunn no
    On Motion to Recommit · needed a majority
    R 0 yes, 216 noD 214 yes, 0 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

  • Nicholas J. Begich III R-AK-At Large
  • Cliff Bentz R-OR-2
  • Kat Cammack R-FL-3
  • Neal P. Dunn R-FL-2
  • Russell Fry R-SC-7
  • Jennifer A. Kiggans R-VA-2
  • August Pfluger R-TX-11