Congresswoman Plaskett Leads Passage of Pioneering DiasporaLink Act
- Staff Consortium
- March 06, 2024
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 3385, also known as the DiasporaLink Act. The measure, championed by Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett, directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to conduct a feasibility study on developing a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable that would connect the United States directly to Africa through the U.S. Virgin Islands. "This is a significant step to establish a high-speed internet connection to Africa and throughout the Caribbean from American soil, which will enhance America’s national security data and communication interests in the regions," Ms. Plaskett remarked as she celebrated the bill’s passage and highlighted the potential benefits of the DiasporaLink Act for both national security and economic development. They study would also examine the strategic importance of such a connection to the Virgin Islands, and also look at how it aligns with American interests in the region. “Presently, t...