NEPTUNE Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7]
Introduced
Summary
Would authorize up to two submarine cable‑laying and repair ships for the Navy. This bill would also limit federal payments and termination liability for those contracts and would bar retiring the USNS Zeus until a Navy‑owned, equally or more capable replacement reaches full operational capability.
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- Keeps the USNS Zeus in the fleet until a replacement ship designated "USNS" and maintained in the Navy’s inventory achieves full operational capability. The replacement cannot be a commercial vessel leased or chartered by the Navy.
- Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to contract for construction of up to two submarine cable laying and repair ships and associated material. Any payment obligations are subject to available appropriations and federal liability for contract termination is capped at funding obligated at termination.
- Provides the Navy with dedicated vessels for submarine cable laying and repair to support undersea telecommunications infrastructure.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Navy could build cable ships, keep current ship
If enacted, the Navy could contract to build up to two ships to lay and repair undersea cables. Any payments would depend on Congress providing funds. If a contract ends early, the government would only owe the money already obligated. The Navy could not retire or store the USNS Zeus until a Navy ship with equal or better ability is fully operational. A leased or chartered commercial ship would not count as a replacement.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7]
OH • R
Cosponsors
Turner (OH)
OH • R
Sponsored 8/1/2025
Crane
AZ • R
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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