[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 84 (Monday, May 19, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H2113-H2115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ACCELERATING NETWORKING, CYBERINFRASTRUCTURE, AND HARDWARE FOR OCEANIC
RESEARCH ACT
Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 1223) to require a plan to improve the cybersecurity and
telecommunications of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, and for other
purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1223
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Accelerating Networking,
Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for Oceanic Research Act''
or the ``ANCHOR Act''.
SEC. 2. PLAN TO IMPROVE CYBERSECURITY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
OF U.S. ACADEMIC RESEARCH FLEET.
(a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Director, in consultation with
other Federal agency owners and the head of any university or
laboratory that owns or operates a vessel of the U.S.
Academic Research Fleet, shall submit to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives a plan to improve the cybersecurity and
telecommunications of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet.
(b) Elements.--The plan required by subsection (a) shall
include--
(1) an assessment of the telecommunications and networking
needs of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, consistent with
the typical scientific mission of each vessel;
(2) in accordance with guidance issued by the Cybersecurity
and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Institute
for Standards and Technology, an assessment of cybersecurity
needs appropriate for--
(A) the operation of vessels within the U.S. Academic
Research Fleet; and
(B) the specific research functions and activities of such
vessels;
(3) an assessment of the costs necessary to meet the needs
described in paragraphs (1) and (2), including--
(A) any necessary equipment costs in excess of current
expenditures, such as satellite communications equipment,
software, high-performance computing infrastructure shipboard
and shoreside, or enterprise hardware;
(B) estimated personnel costs in excess of current
expenditures, including any necessary training, support, or
logistics; and
(C) the estimated impact on daily charter rates associated
with the costs described in subparagraphs (A) and (B);
(4) an assessment of the time required to implement any
upgrades required to meet the needs described in paragraphs
(1) and (2) under varying budgets and funding scenarios;
(5) an assessment of opportunities for the adoption of
common solutions or consortial licensing agreements, or for
the centralization of elements of fleet cybersecurity,
telecommunications, or data management at a single facility;
and
(6) in consultation with any non-Federal owners of a vessel
of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, a spending plan for the
National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research,
non-Federal owners of vessels of the U.S. Academic Research
Fleet, users of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, or any
combination thereof, to provide funding to cover the costs
described in paragraph (3).
(c) Considerations.--The Director in preparing the plan
required by subsection (a), shall, as appropriate, consider
the following:
(1) The network capabilities, including speed and bandwidth
targets, necessary to meet the scientific mission needs of
each class of vessel within the U.S. Academic Research Fleet
for such purposes as--
(A) executing the critical functions and communications of
each vessel;
(B) providing network access for the health and well-being
of deployed personnel, including communications to conduct
telemedicine (including mental health care), counseling,
interviews with crisis response providers, and other remote
individual care and services;
(C) as necessary to meet operations, uploading any
scientific data to a cloud-based server or shoreside server,
including the copying of data off ship for disaster recovery
or risk mitigation purposes;
(D) conducting real-time streaming to enable shore-based
observers to participate in ship-based maintenance or
research activities;
(E) scientific instrumentation so that it is possible to
conduct scientific surveys and seafloor mapping with fully
remote subject matter experts;
(F) critical operational technology by manufacturers and
vendors so that it is possible to carry out maintenance and
repairs to systems with limited expertise on each vessel,
with fully remote subject matter experts advising; and
(G) enabling video communications to allow improved
outreach to, and other educational services for, K-12
students, including occasional remote classroom teaching for
instructors at sea to improve oceanographic access for
students.
(2) In consultation with the Director of the Cybersecurity
and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Director of the
National Institute for Standards and Technology, and the
heads of other Federal agencies, as appropriate--
(A) the cybersecurity recommendations in the report of the
private scientific advisory group known as JASON entitled
``Cybersecurity at NSF Major Facilities'' (JSR-21-10E) and
dated October 2021 as applied to the U.S. Academic Research
Fleet;
(B) aligning with international standards and guidance for
information security, including the use of encryption for
sensitive information, the detection and handling of security
incidents, and other areas determined relevant by the
Director;
(C) facilitating access to cybersecurity personnel and
training of research and support personnel; and
(D) the requirements for controlled unclassified or
classified information.
(d) Implementation of and Report on Plan.--
(1) In general.--The Director, in coordination with the
Office of Naval Research, non-Federal owners of vessels of
the Academic Research Fleet, users of the U.S. Academic
Research Fleet, or any combination thereof, may support
upgrades to the cyberinfrastructure and cybersecurity of the
U.S. Academic Research Fleet consistent with the plan
required by subsection (a).
[[Page H2114]]
(2) Report required.--Not later than two years after the
submission of the plan required by subsection (a), the
Director shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives a report describing the progress made in
implementing the plan.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the National Science Foundation.
(2) Oceanographic research vessel.--The term
``oceanographic research vessel'' has the meaning given the
term in section 2101 of title 46, United States Code.
(3) U.S. academic research fleet.--The term ``U.S Academic
Research Fleet'' means the United States-flagged vessels
that--
(A) are operated as oceanographic research vessels by
research universities and laboratories;
(B) have achieved designation as a member vessel of the
U.S. Academic Research Fleet through the standard U.S.
Academic Research Fleet evaluation process; and
(C) have been accepted into, and are active participants
within, the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory
System.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Fong) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Subramanyam)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on H.R. 1223, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 1223,
the Accelerating Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for
Oceanic Research Act, also known as the ANCHOR Act.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill because it addresses a
critical and urgent need: safeguarding the integrity of our Nation's
academic research fleet and ensuring that the valuable data collected
at sea remains secure from emerging threats. This is about protecting
the future of American science, innovation, and national security.
Our research fleet is a cornerstone of America's scientific
advancement. Since the 1960s, these vessels have supported federally
sponsored missions that impact everything from human health and energy
development to ocean hazards and national security. They are
laboratories at sea, collecting data that fuels critical decisionmaking
here on land.
However, these ships face modern challenges. Right now, they lack the
secure cyberinfrastructure needed to protect sensitive data and
communicate reliably across global networks. That leaves them
vulnerable to cyber threats from foreign adversaries, which have been
on the rise and will continue to evolve with emerging technology.
Data is the heartbeat of scientific progress. It informs policy. It
drives discovery. It strengthens our ability to respond to crises. We
need it to compete and win on the world stage. We must ensure that this
data is protected, that our researchers have the tools they need, and
that the outcomes of their work remain in secure hands.
The ANCHOR Act directs the National Science Foundation to create a
comprehensive plan to upgrade the cybersecurity and communication
systems on these vessels to add another layer of protection where it is
desperately needed.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my cosponsor, Representative Haley Stevens, for
supporting our bipartisan effort to protect our Nation's scientific
edge and security.
Today, let's take a critical step to safeguard our research fleet,
protect our data, and secure the future of American innovation by
voting in support of the ANCHOR Act.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the ANCHOR Act. The U.S. Academic
Research Fleet, the ARF, is made up of an impressive array of marine
research assets and even more impressive than this fleet is the
invaluable research that it conducts.
This diverse fleet is managed and operated by a diverse group that
includes the NSF, the Office of Naval Research, Federal research
laboratories, and U.S. universities.
These fleets have unique cyberinfrastructure and networking
challenges and vulnerabilities. This bill would require assessment of
equipment and personnel costs and time requirements needed to upgrade
the fleet and develop a proposal for funding these upgrades.
The House already passed this bill by a voice vote last Congress, and
I hope it will do so again. This technological struggle has been a real
detriment and had a real impact on these fleets.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the sponsor of this bill as well as Ms. Stevens,
and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin), the chair of the Science, Space, and
Technology Committee.
Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be here to support H.R. 1223,
the ANCHOR Act, sponsored by my colleagues, Representatives Fong and
Stevens.
The ANCHOR Act tackles the critical need for improved cybersecurity
across the U.S. Academic Research Fleet. This fleet of 17 vessels
carries out vital research in diverse marine environments, from the
Great Lakes to the polar regions.
The groundbreaking research conducted aboard these vessels has
largely shaped our understanding of the ocean. Scientists study
ecosystems and food webs, offshore energy resources, wave dynamics,
natural hazard forecasting and response, and the deep ocean floor.
These scientists and technical experts operate a wide range of
specialized equipment, including deep-towing systems, underwater
cameras, and state-of-the-art acoustic sensors, often sailing to some
of the world's most remote locations.
Ensuring secure and reliable communication and data transmission
systems, regardless of location, presents a unique challenge. Each
vessel needs tailored cybersecurity infrastructure to safeguard its
scientific equipment and protect data, both on board and during
transmission to shore.
Unfortunately, the fleet currently lacks the necessary
infrastructure. This bill would change that. The ANCHOR Act directs the
National Science Foundation to develop a plan for much-needed upgrades
to the Academic Research Fleet, including cybersecurity enhancements
and modernization of telecommunications equipment.
This plan must consider the type of research conducted on each
vessel, the location, any specialized equipment, and network bandwidth
needs. It is essential to protect taxpayer-funded research conducted by
the fleet from nefarious actors.
We have made significant strides securing research at our agencies
and university campuses. Now we must ensure the research being done off
of our coasts is fully protected.
Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleagues for their efforts on this issue,
and I urge my fellow Members to support this bill.
{time} 1530
Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Babin) control the remainder of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time
to close.
Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter dated January 30, 2024,
titled: ``Institutional Support for U.S. Academic Research Fleet Cyber
Infrastructure.''
January 30, 2024.
Institutional Support for U.S. Academic Research Fleet Cyber
Infrastructure
The U.S. Academic Research Fleet (ARF) is critical in the
exploration and understanding of our planet. The ARF consists
of 17 oceangoing research vessels that serve multiple federal
agencies, coordinated under
[[Page H2115]]
the auspices of the University-National Oceanographic
Laboratory System (UNOLS). These ships are fundamentally
important to America's global research objectives, and
conduct federally-sponsored basic research addressing urgent
societal issues involving human health and safety, offshore
energy and resources, national security, ocean hazards,
biological and physical ocean processes, and all scientific
endeavors requiring observations at sea.
As directors, deans, and presidents of academic
institutions with students, faculty, and staff that use ARF
oceanographic research vessels we urge Congress to ensure the
ARF has ongoing support to enable satellite communications,
shoreside and shipboard digital infrastructure, and technical
support for the safe, secure, and effective operation of our
research vessels.
As globally-ranging laboratories that operate in the most
remote areas of the world, research vessels face unique
challenges in providing capable networking and require
specialized infrastructure. Scientists and their sensors must
communicate in real-time with others on board, as well as
with scientists, services and devices in the cloud or on
shoreside networks. 21st century oceanographic science and
vessel operations require mission-critical
cyberinfrastructure to meet operational objectives and enable
scientific innovation in seagoing research.
Additionally, as U.S. strategic assets increasingly become
targets for cyberattacks (including the ARF), robust cyber-
infrastructure is critical. The sensitive research conducted
on these ships ensures the nation remains a world leader in
innovation and national security, and foreign competitors,
such as China, are seeking opportunities to acquire it via
offensive cyber operations.
Our analysis indicates that ARF funding must be increased
$53M annually (roughly 50% over existing levels) to support
capabilities required for robust, performant and secure
networking. Our assessment is rooted in findings by the JASON
advisory group study (2021), which was commissioned by NSF to
evaluate and make recommendations regarding the ability of
NSF's major facilities to provide high-quality data to the
research community while mitigating cybersecurity threats.
The ARF is unique among large facilities because of its
geographical diversity, mobility, global reach, and
distributed administration. These factors all contribute to
the scope of resources required to meet research needs.
Sincerely,
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences/Oregon
State University
College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences/University of
Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University
Large Lakes Observatory, University of Minnesota Duluth
Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium
Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth
Science/University of Miami
School of Ocean, Earth, Science and Technology/University
of Hawai'i
Scripps Institution of Oceanography/UC San Diego
University of Rhode Island--Graduate School of Oceanography
University of Washington--School of Oceanography
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, again, I thank Mr. Fong and Ms. Stevens
for their leadership on this bill. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes''
on H.R. 1223, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
The U.S. Academic Research Fleet enables us to use state-of-the-art
equipment worldwide to conduct cutting-edge science that cannot be
performed on land. This fleet is a key factor in making the U.S.
research enterprise a global leader.
However, our leadership is currently at risk, as it is widely
recognized that our adversaries are willing to compromise, undermine,
or steal our research. They aim to exploit our discoveries and surpass
us as leaders in global technology. We cannot afford to let that
happen.
To continue making groundbreaking discoveries, we must equip our
research vessels with the cybersecurity infrastructure necessary to
maintain the integrity of their data and equipment.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Fong) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 1223.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
____________________