MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) in introducing the DiasporaLink Act. The legislation would direct the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to research the feasibility of building an undersea fiber optic cable between the U.S. and Africa.

“Every day, China is laying the groundwork to dominate Africa by controlling internet infrastructure. Beijing is building undersea cables for intelligence transmission, financial transactions and more. This bipartisan bill would help the U.S. defend American interests and support our friends in Africa against the predations of Communist China,” said Kennedy.

“This bipartisan effort is a crucial first step in strengthening America’s global leadership in the telecommunications space–something that impacts our daily lives in an increasingly digital world–and I am proud to work across the aisle with Senator Kennedy to get it done. If constructed, this cable would be an investment in both a physical connection and stronger diplomatic and economic connections between the United State and African nations, and in turn bolster America’s national security by curbing China’s growing influence after years of activity in the region,” said Warnock.

Background:

• There are currently more than 500 undersea fiber optic cables that transmit data around the globe. However, none provide a direct connection between the U.S. and countries in Africa.

• China is rapidly expanding its influence in Africa, including by investing billions into telecommunications infrastructure. 

• The DisporaLink Act would provide valuable research to the U.S. about how important and feasible it is to build a direct undersea fiber optic cable line that connects the U.S. and Africa.

• A direct undersea cable would support U.S. national security by strengthening ties between the U.S. and African nations as well as providing an alternative to the Chinese technology that often indebts developing countries to the communist nation.