Critical Undersea Infrastructure Resilience Initiative Act
Sponsored By: Senator Curtis, John R. [R-UT]
In Committee
Summary
Protects and hardens critical undersea infrastructure near Taiwan and builds detection, rapid‑repair, and sanctions tools to counter People’s Republic of China gray zone sabotage. The Initiative pairs new monitoring systems, joint patrols, and contingency planning with mandatory sanctions and international cooperation to keep cables and subsea energy networks running.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Cross-Strait contingency planning group
If enacted, the President would have to create a Cross‑Strait Contingency Planning Group within 90 days. The National Security Council would chair and include senior officials from State, Defense, and the intelligence community. The group would run scenario planning for blockades, seizures, cyber and hybrid attacks, identify supply chain and infrastructure gaps, and recommend fixes. It would deliver a classified report to Congress within 180 days and then annually for 10 years.
Sanctions for undersea sabotage
If enacted, the bill would let the President use emergency economic powers to sanction foreign persons who sabotage or help sabotage undersea infrastructure tied to Taiwan or allies. Sanctions could block property and transactions and make covered aliens inadmissible, with cancellation of existing visas or travel documents. The bill lists some exceptions for diplomatic, law‑enforcement, and intelligence activities and allows a presidential waiver for national security with a written certification. The President would have to notify Congress with a detailed justification within 15 days after imposing sanctions.
Protecting undersea cables near Taiwan
If enacted, the bill would require the Secretary of State to set up a Taiwan Critical Undersea Infrastructure Initiative within 360 days. The initiative would push for better monitoring, faster repair plans, more patrols, international cooperation, and engineering hardening of cables and landing sites. The bill would define what counts as "critical undersea infrastructure" and define "sabotage" to include acts that damage infrastructure or the data it carries. It would also authorize $20 million each year for fiscal years 2027–2032 (total $120 million) to carry out rapid response protocols, though actual spending would need later appropriations.
Congress reports on cable incidents
If enacted, the President would have to brief Congress about any interference or sabotage affecting undersea infrastructure near Taiwan not later than 180 days after enactment and then every 180 days through 2032. Reports would describe incidents, who is assessed responsible, remedial actions taken, and coordination with Taiwan and partners.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Curtis, John R. [R-UT]
UT • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
NV • D
Sponsored 7/9/2025
Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA]
PA • R
Sponsored 5/14/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov