Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of September 20 through September 27, 2025, as "National Estuaries Week".
A Democratic resolution with 5 Republican cosponsors · See all 30 cosponsors
Last activity — Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR 9/19/2025 S6795-6796)
Adopted
The chamber formally agreed to it, and for a resolution that is the finish line: what it says is now officially the chamber's position, rule or tribute.
Nothing more is needed. A resolution is how a chamber speaks for itself or sets its own rules, so adopting it is what puts it into effect. It is not a law, so there is nothing for the President to sign.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Adopted by the Senate unanimous consent
A Senate resolution is the Senate speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the Senate agrees to it, it is officially the Senate's word; it is not a law, so the House and the President have no part in it.
The Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This Senate resolution expresses support for designating the week of September 20 through September 27, 2025, as "National Estuaries Week." The resolution acknowledges the significant economic and ecological importance of estuary regions to the United States. It highlights how estuaries support millions of jobs, substantial economic output, and vital wildlife habitats. Additionally, the text notes the role estuaries play in providing ecosystem services like flood control and water filtration. The resolution expresses support for the goals of National Estuaries Week and the preservation of these areas. Finally, it expresses the Senate's intent to continue working toward the protection and restoration of United States estuaries.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The resolution advocates for the protection, preservation, and restoration of vital estuarine ecosystems.
- Scored +3
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?
The resolution notes how estuaries provide natural infrastructure for flood control and storm protection.
- Scored +3
Is this likely to create jobs?
The resolution highlights the job-creating potential of the estuarine economy and habitat restoration efforts.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Economic Growth and Employment: The bill notes that estuary regions contain a large portion of the nation's jobs and economic output, with the estuarine and ocean economy growing faster than the national average. (Whereas clauses)
-
Support for Fishing Industries: The text highlights that commercial and recreational fishing industries support over 2,300,000 jobs and generate significant sales and income. (Whereas clause)
-
Natural Disaster Protection: Estuaries provide ecosystem services such as flood control, shoreline stabilization, and protection of coastal communities during hurricanes and storms. (Whereas clause)
-
Water Quality and Health: Estuaries provide water filtration, and restored wetlands can remove significant amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus from runoff water, which helps protect human health. (Whereas clause)
-
Habitat Preservation: Estuaries serve as vital habitats and nurseries for many species of fish, wildlife, and those listed as threatened or endangered. (Whereas clause)
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly mentioned in the text.
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? — The resolution advocates for the protection, preservation, and restoration of vital estuarine ecosystems. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The resolution notes how estuaries provide natural infrastructure for flood control and storm protection. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The focus on estuary restoration aligns with improved management of coastal natural resources.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — By protecting estuaries, the bill supports a sector that provides significant economic output and growth. Is this likely to create jobs? — The resolution highlights the job-creating potential of the estuarine economy and habitat restoration efforts.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The resolution supports industries like commercial and recreational fishing that drive regional economies.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The resolution explicitly supports the scientific study of estuaries.
- 9/29/2025
- Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6844)
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
- Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR 9/19/2025 S6795-6796)
- 9/19/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 30 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
3 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-HRES-1524: Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 19 through September 26, 2026, as "National Estuaries Week".
- 119-SRES-864: A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of September 19 through September 26, 2026, as "National Estuaries Week".
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Tammy BaldwinDemocrat · Wisconsin
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Maria CantwellDemocrat · Washington
Susan CollinsRepublican · Maine
Bill CassidyRepublican · Louisiana
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Maggie HassanDemocrat · New Hampshire
Cindy Hyde-SmithRepublican · Mississippi
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
John KennedyRepublican · Louisiana
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Christopher MurphyDemocrat · Connecticut
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
John ReedDemocrat · Rhode Island
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts