Senators Introduced Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act
The proposed federal bill aims to criminalize the theft or destruction of private telecommunications cables.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Property Crime
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Senators Alex Padilla and Eric Schmitt have introduced the Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act to federalize penalties for sabotaging communications networks. The bill seeks to curb rising vandalism that causes service disruptions and significant financial loss.
Why it matters
The legislation addresses the growing issue of critical infrastructure attacks, which have caused widespread service outages and high repair costs for consumers. It aims to modernize protections by extending federal coverage to private broadband networks.
The proposed bill amends Section 1362 of Title 18 of the United States Code to include copper, fiber, and coaxial cables. California recorded over 6,000 network attacks in 2025, including 1,131 incidents in Los Angeles.
The players
Alex Padilla
He is a U.S. Senator representing California who served as the state's Secretary of State before his election to the Senate.
Eric Schmitt
He is a U.S. Senator representing Missouri who previously served as the Attorney General of Missouri.
The details
The bill expands federal protections to encompass privately-operated telecommunications and information service facilities. By formalizing these actions as federal crimes, the legislation intends to provide authorities with stronger tools to prosecute theft and damage against vital infrastructure.
Timeline
California reported 6,000 network attacks throughout 2025.
Senators Padilla and Schmitt introduced the bill during the week of October 5, 2026.
Legal Context
This legislation marks a departure from historical legal precedents that often categorized cable theft as local misdemeanor property crime. It updates federal statutes to reflect the modern reliance on private broadband infrastructure as essential utility services.
If enacted, the bill could deter vandalism that causes frequent service outages and rising maintenance costs for residential internet users. Residents in high-incident areas may see increased federal coordination in the investigation of network-related criminal activity.
The takeaway
The bill signifies a shift in how federal authorities approach the protection of private telecommunications networks. Protecting these assets is increasingly viewed as vital to maintaining national connectivity and reducing costs for the public.
Further reading
For broader trends regarding efforts to combat infrastructure-related offenses, visit the Property Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Gold Rush Cam.
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Should the federal government increase criminal penalties for the theft of telecommunications infrastructure?
