To direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria.

Sponsored byDel. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large]VI· Introduced 27 February 2025

Open on Congress.gov

Cosponsors

Actions

Amendments

Committees

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Since introduced

Introduced

Committee

Passed Chamber

Passed Both

Enacted

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Latest action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

24 June 2025·1 year ago

Summary

Introduced in House · Updated 17 June 2025

This bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to submit a report to Congress that assesses the feasibility, value, cost, and security implications of a submarine fiber optic cable to connect the contiguous United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria. The report must include, among other topics, an assessment of the potential establishment of a data center and high-security cloud services facility in the U.S. Virgin Islands for certain national security communications.

Timeline

15 actions

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
24 June 2025 · IntroReferral
Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
23 June 2025 · Floor
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2847-2848)
23 June 2025 · Floor
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1737.
23 June 2025 · Floor
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2847)
23 June 2025 · Floor
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2847)
23 June 2025 · Floor
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
23 June 2025 · Floor
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 121.
12 June 2025 · Calendars
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-155.
12 June 2025 · Committee
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-155.
12 June 2025 · Committee
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
4 March 2025 · Committee
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
4 March 2025 · Committee
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
27 February 2025 · IntroReferral
Introduced in House
27 February 2025 · IntroReferral
Introduced in House
27 February 2025 · IntroReferral

Sponsorship

1 cosponsors

Sponsor

Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large]VI

Cosponsors

Republican1100%

Republican:Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]ID

Classification

Policy area

Science, Technology, Communications

Legislative subjects

Broadcasting, cable, digital technologiesGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment studies and investigationsVirgin Islands

Committees

Energy and Commerce Committee
House · Standing
- Referred To27 Feb 2025
- Markup By4 Mar 2025
- Reported By12 Jun 2025
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Senate · Standing
- Referred To24 Jun 2025

Reports

H. Rept. 119-155

Track To direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria. as it moves through Congress

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