Undersea Cable Control Act

This bill orders the U.S. government to build a plan to stop foreign adversaries from getting gear and technology used to build, run, or repair undersea internet cables. It directs the President and the Department of Commerce, working with the State Department, to map which items are involved, how they’re currently controlled, which allies help make them, and how to work together so these items don’t reach hostile actors. A “foreign adversary” means a foreign government or person whose actions seriously harm U.S. national security.

The plan must also track foreign involvement in global tech standards groups and push for U.S. leadership there, since standards can affect cable security and access. Commerce must review exports and transfers of the identified items, set the right level of controls under existing regulations, and consider who will use them and for what purpose; results are reported to Congress and posted publicly. The President must seek agreements with allies within one year, including penalties for breaking the rules, and provide regular briefings to Congress.

Key points

• Who is affected: Makers and sellers of undersea cable equipment and technology, U.S. exporters, allied governments, and international standards groups.
• What changes: Possible new or tighter export licensing rules, public and annual reports for three years, identification of adversary-linked entities, and coordinated controls with allies that include penalties for noncompliance .
• When: First strategy report due within 180 days, then annually for three years; allied agreements to be pursued within one year; annual notifications on export control actions for three years.