Sponsors (3)
The bill strengthens protection and long-term sustainment of critical undersea communications cables by expanding the Cable Security Fleet and guaranteeing funding, but does so at the cost of ongoing federal spending, higher contractor payments, and reduced future budget flexibility.
Utilities and transportation workers: the bill increases the Cable Security Fleet to at least six vessels, improving protection, maintenance, and resilience of undersea internet and communications cables.
Taxpayers and state governments: the bill provides stable annual funding of $56 million per year from 2027–2040, giving predictable resources for planning and long-term fleet sustainment.
Transportation contractors and utilities: raising the per-vessel payment cap from $5M to up to $7M enables larger contractor payments to procure or maintain more capable vessels for cable security.
Taxpayers: the bill increases federal spending by $56 million per year through 2040, raising long-term budgetary costs and opportunity costs for other priorities.
Taxpayers and future Congresses: committing funding through 2040 reduces future budget flexibility and the ability of later Congresses to reallocate those funds if priorities change.
Utilities and taxpayers: higher per-vessel payments and adding more vessels could raise contracting costs and reduce competitive pricing for cable maintenance services.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Increases Cable Security Fleet to at least 6 vessels, raises per-vessel payment cap to up to $7M, and authorizes $56M annually for FY2027–2040.
Official title: To amend title 46, United States Code, to expand the Cable Security Fleet to not less than 6 vessels, and for other purposes.
Introduced May 14, 2026 by Max Miller · Last progress May 14, 2026
Increases the size and funding of the federal Cable Security Fleet by requiring at least six vessels (up from two), raising the maximum per-vessel payment cap from $5 million to up to $7 million, and establishing an annual authorization of $56 million for fiscal years 2027–2040. The changes revise existing U.S. Code provisions governing payments and authorized funding for the program. The bill affects the Maritime Administration's cable protection program, vessel owners participating in the fleet, and entities dependent on undersea cable maintenance and rapid-response capability. It is primarily an authorization change that sets a multi-year funding level and expands program capacity rather than an immediate appropriation or tax change.