US HB261 | 2025-2026 | 119th Congress
Status
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 8)
Status: Engrossed on February 12 2026 - 50% progression
Action: 2026-02-12 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Pending: Senate Commerce, Science, And Transportation Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Engrossed) [PDF]
Status: Engrossed on February 12 2026 - 50% progression
Action: 2026-02-12 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Pending: Senate Commerce, Science, And Transportation Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Engrossed) [PDF]
Summary
To amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit requiring an authorization for the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if such activities have previously been authorized by a Federal or State agency.
Title
Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025
Sponsors
| Rep. Earl Carter [R-GA] | Rep. Neal Dunn [R-FL] | Rep. Kat Cammack [R-FL] | Rep. Jennifer Kiggans [R-VA] |
| Rep. Russell Fry [R-SC] | Rep. August Pfluger [R-TX] | Rep. Cliff Bentz [R-OR] | Rep. Nicholas Begich [R-AK] |
Roll Calls
2026-02-11 - House - On Passage RC# 67 (Y: 218 N: 212 NV: 0 Abs: 2) [PASS]
2026-02-11 - House - On Motion to Recommit RC# 66 (Y: 214 N: 216 NV: 0 Abs: 2) [FAIL]
2026-02-11 - House - On Motion to Recommit RC# 66 (Y: 214 N: 216 NV: 0 Abs: 2) [FAIL]
History
| Date | Chamber | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-12 | Senate | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. |
| 2026-02-11 | House | The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection. |
| 2026-02-11 | House | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 2026-02-11 | House | On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 212 (Roll no. 67). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2162) |
| 2026-02-11 | House | On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 216 (Roll no. 66). |
| 2026-02-11 | House | Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2169-2171) |
| 2026-02-11 | House | POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 261, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Carbajal demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced. |
| 2026-02-11 | House | The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX. |
| 2026-02-11 | House | Mr. Carbajal moved to recommit to the Committee on Natural Resources. (text: CR H2166) |
| 2026-02-11 | House | The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. |
| 2026-02-11 | House | DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 261. |
| 2026-02-11 | House | Rule provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261 and H.R. 3617. The resolution provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617 under a closed rule and provides for one motion to recommit H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617, and one motion to commit S. 1383. |
| 2026-02-11 | House | Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1057. (consideration: CR H2161-2166) |
| 2026-02-11 | House | Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1057 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261 and H.R. 3617. The resolution provides for consideration of S. 1383, H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617 under a closed rule and provides for one motion to recommit H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617, and one motion to commit S. 1383. |
| 2026-02-09 | House | Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1042 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2189, H.R. 261 and H.R. 3617. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617 under a closed rule and provides for one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each bill. |
| 2025-07-02 | House | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 146. |
| 2025-07-02 | House | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-181. |
| 2025-06-25 | House | Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 18. |
| 2025-06-25 | House | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held |
| 2025-06-25 | House | Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged |
| 2025-01-23 | House | Subcommittee Hearings Held |
| 2025-01-21 | House | Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries. |
| 2025-01-09 | House | Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. |
| 2025-01-09 | House | Introduced in House |
Same As/Similar To
SB2873 (Same As) 2025-09-18 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
HR1042 (Related) 2026-02-10 - Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
HR1057 (Related) 2026-02-11 - Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
HR1042 (Related) 2026-02-10 - Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
HR1057 (Related) 2026-02-11 - Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
