H.R. 1223ANCHOR Act

1 recorded actionWhat the measure does Read on Congress.gov

Sponsor: Vince Fong [R-CA-20]
Cosponsors: 5 · 3 Democrats · 2 Republicans
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Committees: Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Latest action: May 21, 2025 · Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

IntroducedFeb 12, 2025
Passed the HouseMay 20, 2025
Passed the SenateNot yet reached
Sent to the PresidentNot yet reached
Became lawNot yet reached

What the measure doesCRS summary

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.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, describing H.R. 1223 as introduced in House on Feb 12, 2025. It is not the text of the measure; a later amendment may have changed what it does.

How every member votedHouse roll call 136

House May 20, 2025

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

ANCHOR Act

Passed · Two-thirds required

412 Yea 11 Nay 10 not voting

Crossed both parties 11 of 423 voting members broke with their own party: 11 Republicans.

Open the official roll call

How the chamber split

One dot per member. Select a seat or a bar to filter the list.

DemocratsIndependentsRepublicansFilled: YeaRing: NayGrey: not voting or present

By party select a segment to filter

All members433 members

Democratic213 members

Independent1 member

Republican219 members

marks half of the votes cast. A party’s majority is the side most of its voting members took.

Cosponsors5 · 3 Democrats · 2 Republicans

Signing on is not a vote: a member can cosponsor H.R. 1223 and vote against it. 1 signed when it was filed.

DHaley M. Stevens [D-MI-11]Original

RJay Obernolte [R-CA-23]Joined Feb 24, 20252026 profile

DSarah McBride [D-DE-00]Joined Feb 24, 20252026 profile

DJosh Riley [D-NY-19]Joined May 5, 20252026 profile

RNicholas J. Begich III [R-AK-00]Joined May 5, 20252026 profile

Loading the public record

H.R. 1223ANCHOR Act

What the measure doesCRS summary

How every member votedHouse roll call 136

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

How the chamber split

Cosponsors5 · 3 Democrats · 2 Republicans

H.R. 1223ANCHOR Act

What the measure doesCRS summary

How every member votedHouse roll call 136

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

How the chamber split

Cosponsors5 · 3 Democrats · 2 Republicans

Who lobbied on H.R. 12232 organizations

Who lobbied on H.R. 12232 organizations