United States Submarine Cable Security Policy Act of 2026

This bill changes how licenses to land or operate undersea communications cables in the United States are reviewed. It requires a federal interagency committee on foreign participation in telecommunications (known as Team Telecom) to write a Submarine Cable Security Policy, and requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt standard and enhanced security measures that license holders must follow. It moves licensing authority from the President to the FCC and sets deadlines: the FCC must approve or deny most applications within 45 days of acceptance, or within 1 year if referred to the committee, or the application is deemed approved. It limits when applications can be referred to the committee and allows some applicants to land a cable 20 days after giving notice while their application is pending, unless the committee objects and the FCC concurs.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• August Pfluger Republican sponsor
• 1 cosponsors