Undersea cables are the backbone of global communication, carrying over 95% of all international internet and data traffic. Voters should care about this bill because it directly addresses the security and resilience of these critical connections, which are essential for everything from daily internet use and financial transactions to national defense.

If this bill becomes law, the U.S. Navy will gain new ships to enhance its ability to lay and repair these vital cables, reducing potential vulnerabilities. By also preventing the retirement of the USNS Zeus until a replacement is fully operational, it ensures a continuous capability to maintain these networks. Without this bill, the U.S. might face a gap in its capacity to protect and repair undersea cables, potentially leaving essential communication infrastructure more susceptible to damage or disruption, which could have significant economic and security consequences.