The Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2026 aims to strengthen U.S. protection and coordination of critical undersea fiber-optic cables that carry internet traffic and communications worldwide. The bill creates an interagency committee within one year to coordinate federal cable protection efforts, establishes mandatory sanctions against foreign actors who damage cables threatening U.S. national security, and requires formal information-sharing procedures between government agencies and private cable operators. It mandates multiple annual reports to Congress analyzing Chinese and Russian submarine capabilities and cable-related activities, while directing increased U.S. participation in international cable protection organizations. The legislation also requires intelligence assessments of specific cable and pipeline sabotage incidents from 2022-2026, including detailed analysis of the Nord Stream pipeline attack, with initial reports due within 60 to 180 days of enactment.
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