Voters should care about this bill because undersea fiber optic cables are the backbone of global internet communication. They carry almost all of the world's internet traffic, meaning they are essential for everything from browsing social media to international business transactions and national security. Slowing down their installation or maintenance due to bureaucratic hurdles can impact internet speed, reliability, and cost.

If this bill becomes law, it could help streamline the process for deploying and repairing this critical infrastructure, potentially leading to faster and more reliable internet connections by reducing delays. If it doesn't become law, cable companies will continue to face the possibility of needing multiple, potentially redundant, permits for projects crossing marine sanctuaries, which could lead to longer project timelines and increased costs.