The House Subcommittees on Transportation and Maritime Security, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection have scheduled a joint hearing for November 20 to examine the threats posed by foreign adversaries to subsea cable infrastructure. The hearing will address how U.S. companies and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can strengthen safeguards against national security risks associated with these critical systems.
Chairman Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) highlighted the importance of subsea cables, stating, “Subsea cables are crucial to the global economy, our national security, and communications across the world. Yet our adversaries like Communist China and Russia are working to exploit our vulnerabilities and undermine this critical infrastructure. It’s essential that Congress examines the protections that are needed across both the public and private sectors to safeguard subsea cable operations from nefarious actors who wish to do us harm.”
Chairman Andy Ogles (R-TN) also emphasized the vulnerability of digital infrastructure: “Every inch of American digital infrastructure is a battlefield. If the Chinese Communists can tap it, cut it, or corrupt it, they will. Subsea cables are no exception. This committee will not allow foreign communists to hold the American economy hostage. I look forward to hearing from subject matter experts so we can fully grasp the threats to these cable systems and ensure industry and the federal government stay ahead of them.”
The hearing, titled “Securing Global Communications: An Examination of Foreign Adversary Threats to Subsea Cable Infrastructure,” will take place at 10:00 am EST in Room 310 of the Cannon House Office Building. Witnesses include Timothy Stronge from TeleGeography; Alexander Botting from Venable LLP; Matthew Kroenig from Atlantic Council; and Kevin Frazier from The University of Texas at Austin School of Law.
Subsea cables handle nearly all telecommunications traffic crossing oceans worldwide. In response to growing concerns about potential foreign interference, particularly by entities affiliated with China or Russia, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced plans in August to consider banning PRC-manufactured technology in any subsea cable system landing in the United States.
Recent congressional actions reflect heightened scrutiny over supply chain security for subsea cables. In July, Chairman Gimenez joined other committee leaders in sending inquiries to major tech companies—Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon—regarding their involvement with cable components produced or maintained by Chinese or Russian-affiliated firms.
Earlier this month, Committee Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY), along with several other committee leaders, sent a letter recommending that the Office of Information and Communications Technology and Services investigate adversary products within critical industries as part of efforts to protect national security.
The upcoming hearing will be livestreamed on YouTube and is open to both press—with advance RSVP required—and members of the public.
