Critical Undersea Infrastructure Resilience Initiative Act
Sponsored By: Senator John Curtis
In Committee
Summary
Would prioritize protecting Taiwan’s critical undersea cables and related infrastructure from suspected sabotage and other gray zone tactics. It would create monitoring systems, rapid response teams, regional patrols, infrastructure hardening programs, and a sanctions toolset to deter and respond to interference.
Show full summary
- Taiwan and regional partners would get upgraded detection, early‑warning sharing, and technical help to harden cables and landing sites. The bill authorizes $20 million per year for rapid response from 2027 through 2032.
- U.S. agencies, the Navy, and the Coast Guard would expand maritime domain awareness and run joint patrols and exercises with Taiwan and allies through a new Cross‑Strait Contingency Planning Group focused on scenario planning and capability gaps.
- Individuals and entities tied to sabotage would face asset blocking under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and visa bans or cancellations. The bill also requires rapid sanctions reporting to Congress.
*Would authorize $20 million annually for 2027–2032, totaling $120 million in authorized appropriations and increasing federal spending by at least $120 million over that period.*
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Cross Strait contingency planning group
If enacted, the bill would require the President to create a Cross‑Strait Contingency Planning Group within 90 days, chaired by the National Security Council and staffed by senior officials across agencies. The Group would run scenario planning for crises involving Taiwan and identify gaps in preparedness and supply chains. It would send a classified report to Congress within 180 days and then annually for 10 years with recommendations and lessons learned.
Protecting Taiwan's undersea infrastructure
If enacted, the bill would create a U.S. program to protect and quickly repair undersea energy and communications assets near Taiwan. The Secretary of State would set up a coordinated initiative within 360 days. The Navy and Coast Guard would boost surveillance on and near critical routes upon enactment. The bill would also authorize $20 million per year for each of fiscal years 2027–2032 to support rapid repair and logistics, and it would require 180‑day reports to Congress about incidents and responses through 2032.
New sanctions for undersea sabotage
If enacted, the bill would let the President use IEEPA authorities and immigration penalties against foreign persons the President finds responsible for, complicit in, or facilitating sabotage of undersea infrastructure tied to Taiwan or partners. Covered targets could include vessels, owners and operators, insurers, port or logistics providers, and facilitators. The President would have to send Congress a detailed justification within 15 days after imposing sanctions. The bill would also add narrow exceptions: it would not apply to authorized U.S. intelligence activities, actions needed to meet U.N. Headquarters obligations, or to the importation of goods, and it would allow a presidential waiver only after a written national security certification and explanatory report to Congress.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
John Curtis
UT • R
Cosponsors
Jacky Rosen
NV • D
Sponsored 7/9/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in