[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 46 (Thursday, March 14, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S2403]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Mr. Sullivan):
  S. 3943. A bill to require a plan to improve the cybersecurity and 
telecommunications of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Mr. PADILLA. Madam President, I rise to introduce the Accelerating, 
Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardwater for Oceanic Research, 
ANCHOR, Act. This bipartisan and bicameral legislation would require 
the National Science Foundation to plan critical cyber security and 
internet upgrades to essential oceanographic research vessels.
  This bill would direct the National Science Foundation to report to 
Congress on the costs, personnel, and equipment necessary to upgrade 
the 17 ocean- and lake-going research vessels in the Academic Research 
Fleet. These ships and their submarines do research around the world 
across topics as fundamental as climate change, marine health, and 
national security. This report is an important first step in making 
needed upgrades to these research vessels for improved science, cyber 
security, and telecommunications.
  Around the world, researchers traverse waters to better understand 
our oceans. In Alaska, the R/V Sikuliaq regularly ventures into icy 
Arctic waters, breaking ice up to 2.5 inches thick to study remote 
polar ecosystems. In California, the R/V Sally Ride explores the deep 
ocean in the Pacific, characterizing the toxic legacy of DDT barrels 
dumped over 50 years ago. In the Great Lakes, the R/V Blue Heron 
navigates Lake Superior, conducting long-term research on harmful algal 
blooms.
  But these important research vessels suffer from aging 
infrastructure. As ships and submarines collect sensitive data about 
our climate, foreign adversaries increasingly attack the weakened cyber 
security defenses on research vessels.
  The upgrades planned in the ANCHOR Act are cost-effective, allowing 
repairs in real time with remote experts that keep ships going on their 
missions. Improved internet is also a boost for crew morale, science 
efficiency, and education. With faster upload and download speeds, 
scientists and crew members will be able to transmit data to shore for 
processing, make Zoom calls with classrooms on land, and call loved 
ones or even mental health providers during long months at sea.
  I want to thank Senator Sullivan for introducing this important 
legislation with me in the Senate and Representatives Mike Garcia and 
Haley Stevens for leading the House companion. I hope all of our 
colleagues will join us in supporting this bipartisan bill to improve 
our Nation's oceanographic research and security.
                                 ______