Congressman Max Miller Introduces Cable Security Fleet Expansion Act

Resources / Press Share on Congressman Max Miller Introduces Cable Security Fleet Expansion Act May 18, 2026 Defense & Foreign Relations Press WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Max Miller (OH-07) , alongside Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), introduced the Cable Security Fleet Expansion Act, legislation to strengthen America’s ability to protect and repair critical undersea communications infrastructure. Subsea fiber-optic cables carry approximately 99 percent of international internet traffic and facilitate nearly $10 trillion in financial transactions daily, making them essential to both U.S. national security and the global economy. Recent incidents in the waters near Taiwan and in the Baltic Sea have highlighted the growing vulnerability of this infrastructure to disruption and sabotage. This legislation updates the Cable Security Fleet program to better address evolving national security threats and strengthen U.S. resilience against disruptions to critical subsea infrastructure. “America’s national and economic security depends on infrastructure most people never think about, but use every day,” said Congressman Miller. “Undersea cables are critical to global communications, financial markets, and military readiness. This legislation ensures the United States has the capacity to repair and protect these systems when it matters most.” “Nearly all of the United States’ international internet traffic, along with trillions of dollars in financial transactions, travels over subsea cables across the world,” said Congressman Luttrell. “Our adversaries know this and can exploit this national security vulnerability should we lose the ability to sustain and repair these cables. This legislation makes a long-overdue investment in the infrastructure we depend on, and I am proud to help lead this effort.” “The lack of preparedness to protect and repair critical infrastructure tied to Americans’ international internet traffic is startling at best and a flat-out nightmare at worst,” said Congressman McDowell. “Through the Cable Security Fleet Expansion Act, America will be better prepared to repair subsea cables when urgency is of the utmost importance, keeping America’s communications up and running with the outside world.” Specifically, the Cable Security Fleet Expansion Act will: Increases the number of vessels permitted to be retained in the Cable Security Fleet from two to “not less than six.” Grants MARAD some contract negotiation flexibility by allowing them to retain vessels for “up to $7M per year” rather than the fixed $5M contract that is in current law; and Finally, the legislation increases the total Cable Security Fleet authorization from $10M to $56M, which is enough for MARAD to retain at least eight vessels at the full stipend amount of $7M. Bill text here . One-pager here . Editor’s note regarding Congressman Miller: Congressman Max Miller represents Ohio’s Seventh District, which includes Medina and Wayne counties as well as parts of Cuyahoga and Holmes counties. Miller serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. The Republican sophomore members selected Miller as their representative to the Republican Steering Committee. He is a member of the Republican Study Committee and the Main Street Caucus. Before joining Congress, Miller spent six years in the Marine Corps Reserves and served in several senior positions for President Donald Trump. Please visit https://maxmiller.house.gov for more information. ### Share on