H.R. 1737 · 119th Congress

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.

Introduced Feb 27, 2025Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Status: Passed House

  1. Introduced (done)
  2. Committee (done)
  3. Passed House (current)
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Law

Latest action

: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summary

This bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to submit a report to Congress that assesses the feasibility, value, cost, and security implications of a submarine fiber optic cable to connect the contiguous United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria. The report must include, among other topics, an assessment of the potential establishment of a data center and high-security cloud services facility in the U.S. Virgin Islands for certain national security communications.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service.

Actions

  1. Senate

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

  2. House

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. House

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

  4. House

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1737.

  5. House

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2847-2848)

  6. House

    Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  7. House

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 121.

  8. House

    Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-155.

  9. House

    Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

  10. House

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

  11. House

    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

  12. Introduced in House