Brian Mast (R-FL)
Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 19 through September 26, 2026, as "National Estuaries Week".
A Republican resolution with 24 Democratic cosponsors · See all 35 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
A House resolution is the House speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the House agrees to it, it is officially the House's word; it is not a law, so the Senate and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
This House Resolution expresses support for designating the week of September 19 through September 26, 2026, as National Estuaries Week. It highlights the massive economic and job contributions that estuaries, oceans, and the Great Lakes provide to the United States. The text outlines the critical role these regions play in supporting commercial and recreational fishing, providing habitats for wildlife, and protecting human health and public safety through flood control and erosion prevention. Furthermore, the resolution acknowledges ongoing threats such as habitat loss, harmful algal blooms, and water degradation. Finally, it states the intent of the House of Representatives to continue working toward understanding, protecting, and restoring the nation's estuaries.
Yes· 3 of 27
- Scored +5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The resolution explicitly supports the protection and restoration of estuaries and wildlife habitats.
- Scored +4
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
Supports the management and restoration of vital public coastal resources.
- Scored +3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Directly supports the commercial fishing and ocean-based economy.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Recognition of Economic Value and Jobs: The resolution acknowledges that estuarine and ocean economies drive job growth and economic output, employing millions of people and contributing billions to the gross dollar product. This is a positive acknowledgment of the hardworking people relying on these sectors for their livelihoods.
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Support for Fishing Industries: The text highlights that commercial and recreational fishing industries support over 2,100,000 jobs and generate massive sales and income impacts, which benefits individuals working in these trades and communities dependent on fishing.
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Protection from Natural Disasters: The resolution notes that coastal wetlands, mangrove ecosystems, and salt marshes provide critical ecosystem services like flood control, erosion prevention, and storm surge protection that prevent millions of dollars in property damage during extreme weather events. This directly protects the safety and homes of people living in coastal communities.
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Commitment to Protection and Restoration: Through supporting the goals of National Estuaries Week and acknowledging the need for scientific study and restoration, the resolution expresses the intent of the House of Representatives to continue working to protect and restore these vital water regions.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Identified: The provided text is a simple resolution expressing support for a designated week and recognizing the importance of estuaries. It does not contain any mandates, requirements, taxes, penalties, or provisions that would impose negative consequences or burdens on individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Directly supports the commercial fishing and ocean-based economy. Would billionaires be better off under this? — Protects high-value coastal real estate. Would high-income households be better off under this? — Reduces potential property losses from storm surges. Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this? — Protects high-value coastal real estate. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Creates restoration jobs and protects communities from storm damage. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Supports fishing industries and coastal property protection. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Directly supports rural fishing and coastal communities. Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this? — Protects high-value coastal real estate. Would children be better off under this? — Promotes a healthier environment for future generations. Would farmers be better off under this? — Estuaries help manage runoff containing nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural lands. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Protects coastal property and supporting industries. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Mentions cooperation with Tribal governments for estuary management. Would retired people be better off under this? — Protects coastal property and natural beauty. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Increases coastal protection and environmental stability. Would students be better off under this? — Supports scientific study and environmental research. Would union members be better off under this? — Potential for job creation in restoration and industrial fishing. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Many urban populations live in estuarine regions and benefit from flood control. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Supports job growth in the ocean economy.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The resolution explicitly supports the protection and restoration of estuaries and wildlife habitats. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — Supports the management and restoration of vital public coastal resources. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — Highlights the role of estuaries in flood control and storm surge reduction to protect property. Does this invest in rural communities? — Supports coastal and rural fishing communities. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — Protection of wetlands and estuaries generally supports carbon sequestration.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The resolution recognizes the contribution of estuaries to the GDP and overall economic growth. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill highlights the job-creating potential of estuary restoration and the significant employment provided by the estuarine economy. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Supports the commercial and recreational fishing industries which often consist of small businesses.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The House expresses support for the scientific study of estuaries.
- 9/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/10/2026
- Submitted in House
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 34 Cosponsors added.
8 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HRES-733: Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 20 through September 27, 2025, as "National Estuaries Week".
- 119-SRES-418: A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of September 20 through September 27, 2025, as "National Estuaries Week".
- 118-HRES-688 (not yet synced)
- 118-HRES-1423 (not yet synced)
- 118-SRES-353 (not yet synced)
- 118-SRES-820 (not yet synced)
- 117-HRES-655 (not yet synced)
- 117-HRES-1358 (not yet synced)
Vern BuchananRepublican · Florida
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon
Nanette BarragánDemocrat · California
Kathy CastorDemocrat · Florida
Salud CarbajalDemocrat · California
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Suzan DelBeneDemocrat · Washington
Mike EzellRepublican · Mississippi
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Randy FineRepublican · Florida
Vicente GonzalezDemocrat · Texas
Maggie GoodlanderDemocrat · New Hampshire
Jared HuffmanDemocrat · California
Mike HaridopolosRepublican · Florida
Pablo HernándezDemocrat · Puerto Rico
Thomas KeanRepublican · New Jersey
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia
Rick LarsenDemocrat · Washington
Ted LieuDemocrat · California
Nick LaLotaRepublican · New York
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts
James MoylanRepublican · Guam
Kevin MullinDemocrat · California
Sarah McBrideDemocrat · Delaware
Frank PalloneDemocrat · New Jersey
Chris PappasDemocrat · New Hampshire
Emily RandallDemocrat · Washington
Adam SmithDemocrat · Washington
Marilyn StricklandDemocrat · Washington
Thomas SuozziDemocrat · New York
Kim SchrierDemocrat · Washington
Juan VargasDemocrat · California
Debbie Wasserman SchultzDemocrat · Florida
Robert WittmanRepublican · Virginia
Randy WeberRepublican · Texas