Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
A concurrent resolution recognizing a health and safety emergency disproportionately affecting the fundamental rights of children due to the Trump administration's directives that unleash fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, while suppressing climate change science.
A Democratic resolution with 11 Democratic cosponsors · See all 12 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text: CR S4423)
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 concurrent resolution is how the Senate and the House settle something they do together, such as a budget plan or a joint session. It is adopted once both chambers agree to it, and that puts it into effect; it is not a law, so it does not go to the President.
What this bill would do
This concurrent resolution recognizes a health and safety emergency affecting children due to administration directives that expand fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions while suppressing climate science. It states that the administration's actions violate children's constitutional rights and defy the Environmental Protection Agency's mission to abate pollution. The text highlights that climate change causes extreme weather, health issues, and mental health impacts, disproportionately harming vulnerable and low-income children. It also notes that the administration has removed climate datasets, withheld research funding, and censored scientific information. Finally, Congress demands that the administration reverse these orders, restore the Environmental Protection Agency's mission, and republish climate data.
Yes· 3 of 15
- Scored +9
Would children be better off under this?
The resolution is specifically aimed at protecting the health, safety, and fundamental rights of children.
- Scored +8
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
The resolution calls for reversing fossil fuel expansion to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide.
- Scored +8
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
It advocates for restoring the EPA's mission to protect the environment from pollution.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Demanding the Restoration of Climate Data and Protection of Children: The resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the administration must recognize the health emergency facing children, reverse executive orders that increase fossil fuel production, and republish climate science resources and data on Federal websites. This could benefit the public and scientists by restoring access to vital environmental information. This is found in the resolved section, paragraph (1)(C).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Found: Based strictly on the provided text, there are no sections or provisions that impose burdens, negative consequences, or new mandates on individuals or groups of people, as this document is a congressional concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress rather than a binding law with penalties or restrictive provisions.
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 children be better off under this? — The resolution is specifically aimed at protecting the health, safety, and fundamental rights of children. Would students be better off under this? — The resolution defends the academic speech and data access of students and scientists. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The resolution highlights the risks faced by Black children from environmental racism and pollution. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The resolution notes that low-income children are disproportionately burdened by climate change and energy costs. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The resolution mentions that Indigenous children are disproportionately burdened by climate change. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The resolution discusses the impact of climate change on the future of young people.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — It advocates for restoring the EPA's mission to protect the environment from pollution. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The resolution calls for reversing fossil fuel expansion to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The resolution supports transitioning to clean, renewable energy and electric vehicles. Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced? — It seeks to reverse executive orders that expand fossil fuel extraction.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the individual right to speak freely? — It opposes the suppression of scientific and academic speech regarding climate change. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The resolution demands the republication of climate science data on Federal websites.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life? — The resolution opposes government-imposed censorship of climate science and academic speech. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The resolution seeks to address environmental racism that disproportionately harms Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The resolution opposes the withholding of Federal funding for climate science research.
- 9/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/16/2025
- Submitted in Senate
- Referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text: CR S4423)
- 9 Cosponsors added.
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.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island