To direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Official Summary
Official summary has not been imported yet.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™This bill directs the Secretary of Commerce to prepare and submit a report to Congress assessing the value, cost, and feasibility of constructing a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable that would connect the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria. The report is intended to provide Congress with detailed information to evaluate the potential benefits and challenges of such an infrastructure project, focusing on technological, economic, and logistical considerations.
The bill mandates a government study on the feasibility and value of a new trans-Atlantic fiber optic cable linking the U.S. and parts of West Africa, but it did not advance beyond referral to a Senate committee and is currently expired.
- Requires the Secretary of Commerce to submit a report to Congress on a trans-Atlantic fiber optic cable project.
- The report must assess the value, cost, and feasibility of connecting the contiguous U.S., U.S. Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria via submarine cable.
- The bill was introduced in the House and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation but did not progress further.
['U.S. Department of Commerce', 'Telecommunications and technology sectors', 'Governments and populations of the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria', 'Businesses reliant on international digital communications infrastructure']
['The bill does not specify funding sources or budget allocations for the report or subsequent projects.', "Implementation depends on the Secretary of Commerce's capacity and priorities, which may affect the timing and scope of the report.", "The bill lacks detailed oversight or enforcement mechanisms to ensure the report's delivery or follow-up actions."]
Introduced during the 118th Congress, the bill reflects interest in expanding international digital infrastructure and connectivity between the U.S. and West Africa. It was received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation but did not advance further and is currently expired.
Hidden impact flags detected: 2
GovScope reviewed 2 policy-risk categories. Hover for a quick definition. Click detected flags for bill-specific details.
['If the report had been completed and found the project feasible, it could have led to increased investment in trans-Atlantic digital infrastructure.', 'Improved connectivity between the U.S. and West Africa could facilitate economic, educational, and technological exchanges.', 'The study process itself could enhance interagency collaboration on international communications infrastructure.']
The bill's lack of specified funding and enforcement provisions highlights common transparency and oversight challenges in congressional mandates for reports. Tracking whether such reports are delivered and acted upon is essential for accountability. Additionally, the bill's expiration status indicates it did not receive further legislative consideration, which is important context for evaluating its current relevance.
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