Edward Markey (D-MA)
Natural Climate Solutions Research and Extension Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
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
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Natural Climate Solutions Research and Extension Act of 2026. It was introduced in the Senate on June 9, 2026, by Mr. Markey alongside several other senators. The legislation amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. Its main purpose is to provide high-priority research and extension grants for natural climate solutions. Specifically, these grants focus on advancing land management practices that store carbon or reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Yes· 3 of 14
- Scored +7
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
Provides research and extension grants to advance land management practices that store carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
Promotes biodiversity, climate change resilience, and reduced runoff in agricultural lands, wetlands, and forests.
- Scored +6
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
Enhances land management practices to promote climate resilience and store carbon.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2 of the bill allows for research and extension grants to advance land management practices that store carbon or reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agricultural lands and soils, grasslands, wetlands, and forests. This is positive because it supports methods that help the environment and lower emissions.
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Section 2(A) states that the practices can be based on traditional ecological knowledge. This is a positive benefit as it incorporates historical and community-based wisdom into modern land management.
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Section 2(B) notes that the practices promote biodiversity and climate change resilience. This is beneficial for strengthening ecosystems against environmental changes.
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Section 2(C) includes practices that reduce runoff. This is a positive outcome because it helps protect water quality in our communities.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any specific sections or provisions that outline negative consequences or burdens for 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.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Promotes biodiversity, climate change resilience, and reduced runoff in agricultural lands, wetlands, and forests. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — Provides research and extension grants to advance land management practices that store carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — Enhances land management practices to promote climate resilience and store carbon. Does this invest in rural communities? — Provides high-priority research and extension grants specifically targeted at agricultural lands, soils, grasslands, and forests.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would farmers be better off under this? — Provides grants aimed at improving agricultural land management, soil health, and reducing runoff. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Directly supports rural economies, agricultural lands, grasslands, and forests through targeted federal grants. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Incorporates traditional ecological knowledge into land management research practices. Would business owners be better off under this? — Provides agricultural and land management research grants that can benefit farming enterprises. Would children be better off under this? — Promotes environmental health and long-term climate resilience benefiting future generations. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Improves water quality through runoff reduction and enhances regional environmental health. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Supports long-term climate action and sustainability.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — Authorizes new high-priority research and extension grants for natural climate solutions.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Supports agricultural producers and landowners through research and extension grants for land management.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Expands federal agricultural grant programs for climate solutions.
- 6/9/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts