H.R. 261Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025

2 recorded actionsWhat the measure does Read on Congress.gov

Sponsor: Earl L. "Buddy" Carter [R-GA-01]
Cosponsors: 7 · 7 Republicans
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Committees: Natural Resources Committee, Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Latest action: Feb 12, 2026 · Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

IntroducedJan 9, 2025
Passed the HouseFeb 11, 2026
Passed the SenateNot yet reached
Sent to the PresidentNot yet reached
Became lawNot yet reached

What the measure doesCRS summary

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.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, describing H.R. 261 as introduced in House on Jan 9, 2025. It is not the text of the measure; a later amendment may have changed what it does.

Roll calls on H.R. 2612 roll calls on this measure

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Feb 11, 2026Each bar: ✓ Yea from the bottom, ✕ Nay aboveFeb 11, 2026

How every member votedHouse roll call 67

House Feb 11, 2026 · the primary vote

On Passage

Undersea Cable Protection Act

Passed

218 Yea 212 Nay 2 not voting

Party-line vote 4 of 430 voting members broke with their own party: 3 Democrats, 1 Republican.

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 members432 members

Democratic214 members

Independent1 member

Republican217 members

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

Cosponsors7 · 7 Republicans

Signing on is not a vote: a member can cosponsor H.R. 261 and vote against it. 5 signed when it was filed.

RNeal P. Dunn [R-FL-02]Original

RKat Cammack [R-FL-03]Original2026 profile

RJennifer A. Kiggans [R-VA-02]Original2026 profile

RRussell Fry [R-SC-07]Original2026 profile

RAugust Pfluger [R-TX-11]Original2026 profile

RCliff Bentz [R-OR-02]Joined Feb 12, 20252026 profile

RNicholas J. Begich III [R-AK-00]Joined Jun 25, 2025

Loading the public record

H.R. 261Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025

What the measure doesCRS summary

Roll calls on H.R. 2612 roll calls on this measure

How every member votedHouse roll call 67

On Passage

How the chamber split

Cosponsors7 · 7 Republicans

H.R. 261Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025

What the measure doesCRS summary

Roll calls on H.R. 2612 roll calls on this measure

How every member votedHouse roll call 67

On Passage

How the chamber split

Cosponsors7 · 7 Republicans

Who lobbied on H.R. 2617 organizations

Who lobbied on H.R. 2617 organizations