Critical Undersea Infrastructure Resilience Initiative Act
Sponsored By: Representative Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create the Taiwan Critical Undersea Infrastructure Resilience Initiative to focus on _protecting undersea energy and telecommunications infrastructure near Taiwan_. It would push monitoring, rapid repair, and international coordination to deter and respond to sabotage attributed to the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
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- Taiwan and regional partners would get support for faster detection and timely warnings through shared intelligence and help building logistics to reduce downtime after damage.
- The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard would be tasked to boost maritime domain awareness, improve detection and interdiction of suspicious vessels, and take part in joint patrols and surveillance, especially in the Taiwan Strait.
- Telecom and energy operators would see steps to harden cables and related lines, including deeper burial, stronger materials, and participation in joint drills and international protection frameworks.
*It would authorize $20.0 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2032 for rapid-response activities under the Initiative.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Cross-Strait contingency planning group
This bill would require the President to create a Cross-Strait Contingency Planning Group within 90 days. The National Security Council would chair the group and it would include senior officials from State, Defense, intelligence, and other agencies. The group would run scenarios (blockade, cyber attacks, economic coercion), find vulnerabilities in supply chains and infrastructure, and make integrated contingency plans. It would send a classified report to Congress within 180 days and then annually for 10 years.
Protecting undersea cables near Taiwan
This bill would require the Secretary of State to set up a Taiwan Critical Undersea Infrastructure Initiative within 360 days. The Initiative would fund real-time monitoring, quick-response protocols with allies, and help Taiwan and partners strengthen cables (deeper burial, tougher materials, and reinforcements). The bill would also task the Navy and Coast Guard to improve detection and joint patrols near Taiwan. It would authorize $20 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2032 for rapid-response activities.
Sanctions for undersea infrastructure sabotage
This bill would require the President to sanction foreign persons found to be responsible for or facilitating sabotage of undersea infrastructure critical to Taiwan or U.S. partners. The President could block property and transactions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Designated aliens would be inadmissible and have visas revoked. A waiver would be allowed only after a written national security certification and a report to relevant congressional committees.
Diplomatic steps to deter sabotage
This bill would direct the President to work with like-minded countries to increase diplomatic pressure on the PRC to stop sabotaging undersea infrastructure. It would fund public diplomacy, information sharing, and participation in international forums and cooperative efforts to raise awareness and build norms against sabotage.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/2/2026
Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4]
AZ • D
Sponsored 4/2/2026
Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]
CA • R
Sponsored 4/27/2026
Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]
NC • R
Sponsored 4/28/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov