US Legislative Action to Protect Undersea Cables from Foreign Threats

The United States Congress has introduced the Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2025, a bipartisan bill aimed at strengthening the nation's ability to defend undersea fiber-optic cables from both cyber and physical threats, particularly those attributed to China and Russia. The proposed legislation would empower the Department of State to increase international cooperation on cable security and authorize the Department of Treasury to impose sanctions, including exclusion from the dollar-settling system, on individuals or entities found responsible for damaging these critical infrastructures. Lawmakers highlighted a rise in cable disruptions and sabotage attempts in regions such as the Baltic Sea and the Taiwan Strait, referencing recent incidents in Europe and the Indo-Pacific as evidence of the growing threat landscape.

Undersea cables are responsible for carrying more than 95% of global digital communications, yet their security is currently managed through a patchwork of international agreements, private sector arrangements, and voluntary practices. The bill represents one of the most significant recent efforts by Congress to address vulnerabilities in this area, seeking to establish a more coordinated and robust defense posture against potential adversaries. The legislation underscores the urgency of preparing for malicious activities that could have cascading effects on global communications and national security.