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H.R.3385 / 118th Congress

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.

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Official summary

Version 07 · Reported to House · Oct 2, 2023

This bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to submit a report to Congress that assesses the feasibility, value, cost, and security implications of a submarine fiber optic cable to connect the contiguous United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large] · D–VI

Committees

  • Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  • Energy and Commerce Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

  2. The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

  3. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  4. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H801-802)

  5. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H801-802)

  6. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3385.

  7. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H801-803)

  8. Mr. Latta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  9. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 191.

  10. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 118-239.

  11. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 118-239.

  12. Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 0.

  13. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  14. Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

  15. Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  16. Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

  17. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

  18. Introduced in House

  19. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.3385 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.3385 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.3385 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.3385 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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