Congress moves to defend undersea cables from China, Russia

U.S. lawmakers are aiming to give the federal government a more significant role in defending against cyber and physical attacks on the subsea fiber-optic cables that carry virtually all global internet traffic amid growing concerns over suspected interference by China and Russia.

The “Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2025,” introduced by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., would induce the Department of State to develop more expanded engagement with global efforts to protect undersea cables. It would allow the Department of Treasury to cut off from the dollar-settling system any foreign person responsible or complicit in damaging a cable.

The bill also seeks to fortify U.S. defenses against cable disruptions and sabotage attempts, which officials say have become more frequent in the Baltic Sea, the Taiwan Strait and other global hot spots.

Read more at Gov Info Security