Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – 4/2/26… Today, Reps. Mike Lawler (NY-17), Dave Min (CA-47), and Greg Stranton (AZ-04) introduced the Critical Undersea Infrastructure Resilience Initiative Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening the protection and resilience of Taiwan’s undersea cables and critical infrastructure amid growing threats from the People’s Republic of China.

Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced companion legislation in the Senate, which has already passed the Foreign Relations Committee markup.

The bill prioritizes the deployment of advanced monitoring systems to detect disruptions or potential sabotage in real time and enhance early warning capabilities through global intelligence-sharing networks. It also establishes rapid response protocols to address damaged infrastructure and minimize downtime, while expanding coordination with allies and partners to strengthen regional resilience.

“Undersea infrastructure is the backbone of global communications and economic stability. As threats from the PRC continue to grow, the United States must lead in ensuring these systems are protected, resilient, and secure. This bipartisan legislation strengthens our ability to deter sabotage, respond quickly to disruptions, and stand firmly with Taiwan and our allies in the Indo-Pacific,” said Congressman Lawler. 

Additionally, the legislation enhances maritime domain awareness around Taiwan, supports joint patrols and surveillance efforts with the U.S. Coast Guard in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, and builds cooperative frameworks with international partners to safeguard undersea cable networks.

The bill also establishes a Cross-Strait Contingency Planning Group to conduct scenario-based exercises, identify vulnerabilities in global supply chains and critical infrastructure, and develop contingency planning with allies and partners.

To counter gray zone tactics, the legislation requires the U.S. government to increase diplomatic pressure on the PRC to adhere to international norms, expand public diplomacy and information sharing, and elevate global awareness of threats to undersea infrastructure. It also mandates sanctions on individuals responsible for, or complicit in, acts of sabotage against critical undersea systems affecting Taiwan and U.S. allies and partners.

“China’s repeated sabotage of Taiwan’s undersea cables is not accidental—it is part of a deliberate campaign to isolate a democratic partner and test how far authoritarian coercion can go without consequence. Taiwan’s communication infrastructure is critical not just to its own security, but to global commerce and regional stability. This bipartisan legislation makes clear that the United States will not ignore gray zone tactics and aggression designed to undermine democracy and threaten peace in the Indo-Pacific,” said Congressman Min.

“Taiwan's undersea cables are vital not just to regional security and stability, but to America's and Arizona's economic interests. The PRC has been deliberately targeting this infrastructure as part of a gray zone campaign to isolate Taiwan without firing a shot. The Critical Undersea Infrastructure Resilience Initiative Act fights back against this aggression — hardening cable networks, deploying real-time monitoring, and imposing real consequences on those responsible for sabotage. As co-chair of the Taiwan Caucus, I'm proud to stand with Taiwan and ensure it stays connected, informed, and free,” said Congressman Stanton. 

“We can’t stand idle as China ramps up its tactics to isolate Taiwan, including by sabotaging its vital undersea cables. By improving systems monitoring and helping increase cable resiliency, our bipartisan legislation sends a clear message: the United States stands with Taiwan and our allies in defending shared infrastructure, sovereignty, and freedom,” said Senator Curtis.

“The Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing efforts to target Taiwan’s undersea cable infrastructure don’t just threaten Taiwan’s national security, but connectivity and communication around the world. This bipartisan legislation will bolster collaboration between our two nations in order to protect these underground cables and impose sanctions on any adversary that targets this critical infrastructure. I will continue to push back on China’s growing aggression and its attempts to undermine democracy,” said Senator Rosen. 

Full text of the bill can be found HERE. 

 Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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