Rep. Mike Garcia’s ANCHOR Act, H.R. 7630, has passed the House with unanimous support. The bipartisan bill, co-led by Rep. Haley Stevens, aims to enhance cybersecurity and telecommunications for the U.S. Academic Research Fleet’s 17 oceanographic vessels, including three in California.
“These ships are vital to our national security and environmental research, but they’re outdated and vulnerable to rising cyber threats from adversaries like Russia and China,” said Rep. Garcia. “The ANCHOR Act is about securing these vessels and making sure they can continue their important missions—whether it’s studying our oceans or supporting our national defense—for years to come.”
The legislation instructs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a detailed plan within one year to modernize the fleet’s systems and implement it within two years, followed by a report back to Congress.
“These vessels have already made significant discoveries, like locating WWII-era munitions off the Los Angeles coast,” added Rep. Garcia. “We’re protecting not just our oceans, but our national interests and future research, ensuring America stays at the forefront of global innovation.”
The ANCHOR Act has received endorsements from major research institutions such as Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
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