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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.

USA119th CongressHR-1737| House 
| Updated: 6/24/2025
Stacey E. Plaskett

Stacey E. Plaskett

Democratic Representative

Virgin Islands

Cosponsors (1)
Russ Fulcher (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation mandates the Secretary of Commerce to submit a comprehensive report within one year of enactment, assessing the value, cost, and feasibility of a new trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable. This proposed cable would establish critical connectivity between the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria, primarily to enhance the national security of the United States. The report will also consider the digital security, national security, and economic opportunities associated with such an infrastructure project. The assessment must include an evaluation of the lifespan of existing cables connecting the U.S. Virgin Islands to the mainland and the current security of telecommunications in that region. It will also examine the readiness of the U.S. Virgin Islands' telecommunications infrastructure to support the new cable and explore the potential for engaging trusted entities in its deployment, along with associated geopolitical and economic advantages. Furthermore, the report will assess the feasibility of establishing a data center and high-security cloud services facility in the U.S. Virgin Islands for critical national security communications, including those for the United States Africa Command and Special Operations Command.

Bill Text Versions

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4 versions available

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-3385
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.
Feb 27, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 27, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Mar 4, 2025
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Mar 4, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jun 12, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 121.
Jun 12, 2025
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-155.
Jun 23, 2025
Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Jun 23, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2847-2848)
Jun 23, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1737.
Jun 23, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2847)
Jun 23, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
Jun 23, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2847)
Jun 23, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jun 24, 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-3385
    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.


  • February 27, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 27, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.


  • March 4, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.


  • March 4, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • June 12, 2025
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 121.


  • June 12, 2025
    Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-155.


  • June 23, 2025
    Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • June 23, 2025
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2847-2848)


  • June 23, 2025
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1737.


  • June 23, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2847)


  • June 23, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.


  • June 23, 2025
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2847)


  • June 23, 2025
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • June 24, 2025
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Science, Technology, Communications

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

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.

USA119th CongressHR-1737| House 
| Updated: 6/24/2025
This legislation mandates the Secretary of Commerce to submit a comprehensive report within one year of enactment, assessing the value, cost, and feasibility of a new trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable. This proposed cable would establish critical connectivity between the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria, primarily to enhance the national security of the United States. The report will also consider the digital security, national security, and economic opportunities associated with such an infrastructure project. The assessment must include an evaluation of the lifespan of existing cables connecting the U.S. Virgin Islands to the mainland and the current security of telecommunications in that region. It will also examine the readiness of the U.S. Virgin Islands' telecommunications infrastructure to support the new cable and explore the potential for engaging trusted entities in its deployment, along with associated geopolitical and economic advantages. Furthermore, the report will assess the feasibility of establishing a data center and high-security cloud services facility in the U.S. Virgin Islands for critical national security communications, including those for the United States Africa Command and Special Operations Command.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-3385
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.
Feb 27, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 27, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Mar 4, 2025
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Mar 4, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jun 12, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 121.
Jun 12, 2025
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-155.
Jun 23, 2025
Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Jun 23, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2847-2848)
Jun 23, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1737.
Jun 23, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2847)
Jun 23, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
Jun 23, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2847)
Jun 23, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jun 24, 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-3385
    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.


  • February 27, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 27, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.


  • March 4, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.


  • March 4, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • June 12, 2025
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 121.


  • June 12, 2025
    Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-155.


  • June 23, 2025
    Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • June 23, 2025
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2847-2848)


  • June 23, 2025
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1737.


  • June 23, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2847)


  • June 23, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.


  • June 23, 2025
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2847)


  • June 23, 2025
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • June 24, 2025
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Stacey E. Plaskett

Stacey E. Plaskett

Democratic Representative

Virgin Islands

Cosponsors (1)
Russ Fulcher (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologiesGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment studies and investigationsVirgin Islands