Senator Schmitt Leads Bipartisan Effort to Protect Broadband Infrastructure from Theft and Vandalism

Schmitt’s Bill Would Strengthen Federal Protections for Copper, Fiber, and Coaxial Cables

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senators Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced the “Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act,” bipartisan legislation to combat the growing problem of theft and vandalism targeting broadband and telecommunications infrastructure. The bill would strengthen federal protections for privately owned broadband networks and make the willful or malicious theft, destruction, or damage of copper, fiber, and coaxial cables used to provide telecommunications and broadband internet services a federal criminal offense.

“Missouri families and businesses rely on broadband every day, and when critical infrastructure is vandalized or stolen, they are the ones who ultimately pay the price through service disruptions and higher costs. My bill gives law enforcement another tool to protect the infrastructure that keeps communities connected and holds those who deliberately damage these networks accountable,” said Senator Schmitt.

The “Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act” would amend Section 1362 of Title 18 of the United States Code, which currently provides federal protections for certain communications facilities. Schmitt’s legislation would expand those protections to include facilities used to provide broadband internet access services and facilities operated by private entities.

The “Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act” Would:

• Protect broadband infrastructure: Explicitly include copper, fiber, and coaxial cables used to provide telecommunications and broadband internet access services within the federal statute.
• Cover privately owned networks: Extend federal protections to facilities operated by private entities, including privately owned broadband networks.
• Criminalize theft and vandalism: Prohibit the willful or malicious injury, destruction, or theft of covered copper, fiber, and coaxial cables, as well as attempts or conspiracies to commit those offenses.
• Establish penalties: Violations would be punishable by a fine, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both.
• Protect lawful activities: The legislation maintains protections for certain lawful concerted activities and excludes customer premises equipment from the new cable provisions.

Protecting Missouri’s Broadband Infrastructure:

Missouri has experienced multiple incidents of copper theft and vandalism at critical communications sites. Such vandalism can disrupt essential internet service and result in costly repairs that are often ultimately borne by consumers through higher service costs.

According to a recent industry report, at least 5,770 incidents of targeted theft and vandalism against communications networks were reported in 2024, disrupting internet service for more than 1.5 million Americans and causing millions of dollars in damage.

Missouri’s predominant broadband providers, Spectrum/Charter and Xfinity/Comcast, have been actively supporting efforts to strengthen federal protections against broadband infrastructure vandalism.

Read the text of the bill HERE.

Statements of support: 

“We applaud Sens. Schmitt and Padilla for introducing the Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act, building important bipartisan, bicameral momentum to address the growing threat of vandalism to our nation’s critical communications infrastructure. These networks are essential to public safety, national security, and daily life, yet increasing copper theft and intentional damage are disrupting emergency services, harming communities, and leaving consumers without vital connectivity. Strengthening federal law with tougher deterrents and penalties will help protect these critical networks and the millions of Americans who rely on them every day.” —NCTA, The Internet & Television Association

“We’re grateful to Senators Schmitt and Padilla for stepping up to protect the critical communications networks Americans rely on every day. The Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act takes meaningful action to update federal law to ensure all networks are protected.” —Spectrum 

“We appreciate the leadership of Senators Schmitt and Padilla in introducing the Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act. America’s broadband networks are the backbone of our small businesses, hospitals, schools, and homes, and this legislation is an important step to securing them.” — Elad Nafshi, Chief Network Officer, Comcast.

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