Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Awaiting House
The Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This Act, known as the "ANCHOR Act," requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to create a plan to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet. Within one year of enactment, the Director must submit this plan to specific Senate and House committees. The plan must include assessments of networking needs, cybersecurity requirements, and the costs involved for equipment and personnel. It also requires a spending plan to cover these costs through various funding sources. Additionally, the plan must consider network capabilities for scientific missions, medical care, and data management.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +5
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill mandates a plan to improve the cybersecurity of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet.
- Scored +3
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill aims to enhance the technological capabilities required for scientific missions.
- Scored +3
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill directs the consideration of network access to provide medical care via telemedicine.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill may require non-Federal owners of vessels to provide funding for upgrades.
- Scored -1
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
The bill requires a spending plan that may include non-Federal owners in providing funds.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Enhanced Scientific Research: The plan considers network capabilities necessary for conducting scientific surveys, seafloor mapping with remote experts, and uploading scientific data to shoreside servers (Section 3(c)(1)).
-
Improved Medical Care: The plan aims to consider network access that can provide medical care via telemedicine or related crisis response care (Section 3(c)(1)(B)).
-
Better Maintenance and Operations: The plan considers real-time streaming and coordinated viewing to allow shore-based observers to participate in maintenance or research, and to allow remote experts to advise on critical operational technology (Section 3(c)(1)(D) and (E)).
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Strengthened Security Standards: The plan includes assessments of cybersecurity needs and considerations for information security standards, such as the use of encryption for sensitive information (Section 3(b)(2) and Section 3(c)(2)(B)).
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Personnel Development: The plan considers facilitating access to cybersecurity personnel and the training of research and support personnel (Section 3(c)(2)(C)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Increased Costs: The plan requires an assessment of costs for equipment, such as satellite communications and high-performance computing, as well as personnel costs in excess of current expenditures (Section 3(b)(3)).
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Financial Responsibility for Non-Federal Owners: The plan involves creating a spending plan that may include non-Federal owners of vessels in the U.S. Academic Research Fleet to provide funding (Section 3(b)(6)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill mandates a plan to improve the cybersecurity of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill aims to enhance the technological capabilities required for scientific missions.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill directs the consideration of network access to provide medical care via telemedicine.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill requires planning for increased personnel costs related to cybersecurity and training. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill requires a spending plan that may include non-Federal owners in providing funds.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill focuses on improving telecommunications and networking for maritime research vessels.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The plan includes considerations for data management and uploading scientific data to shoreside servers.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — Improved research fleet capabilities benefit the academic institutions and students involved in maritime research. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill may require non-Federal owners of vessels to provide funding for upgrades.
- 10/10/2025
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 10/8/2025
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7007-7009; text: CR S7008-7009)
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 9/29/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-64.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 169.
- 5/21/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 1/29/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska