This bill would change parts of title 46, United States Code, to grow the Cable Security Fleet and increase related payments and funding. It replaces the word "two" in section 53202(a)(2) with "not less than 6," so the fleet would be at least six vessels. It changes section 53206(a)(1) so payments that were "equal to $5,000,000" become "up to $7,000,000." It also replaces the authorization in section 53209 of "$10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2035" with "$56,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2040." The bill was introduced in the House on May 14, 2026, by Representatives Max Miller, Morgan Luttrell, and Addison McDowell and referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
If this bill becomes law, the Cable Security Fleet would be required to include at least six vessels rather than two. The law would allow higher per-payment amounts (up to $7 million) under the cited payment section and would authorize $56 million each year for the program from fiscal year 2027 through 2040. The bill text does not include details about how the vessels would be used or who would operate them.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.