Christopher Coons (D-DE)
A resolution designating the week beginning on October 12, 2025, as "National Wildlife Refuge Week".
A Democratic resolution with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 14 cosponsors
Last activity — Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7141)
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 resolution designates the week of October 12, 2025, as "National Wildlife Refuge Week." It recognizes the role of the National Wildlife Refuge System in wildlife conservation and the protection of ecosystems. The resolution highlights the recreational opportunities and economic benefits provided by these refuges to local communities. It also acknowledges the importance of cultural resource protection and tribal co-stewardship. Finally, the Senate expresses its intent to support the management of these lands for current and future generations.
Yes· 3 of 14
- Scored +8
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The resolution recognizes the role of the refuge system in conserving, managing, and restoring fish, wildlife, and plant resources.
- Scored +7
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The resolution emphasizes the importance of co-stewardship and meaningful engagement with Tribes and Native American organizations.
- Scored +6
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The resolution expresses the Senate's intent to support the management of the National Wildlife Refuge System for current and future generations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Economic Growth: The National Wildlife Refuge System generates more than $3,200,000,000 for local economies and supports 41,000 jobs (Whereas clause). Additionally, for every dollar appropriated to the system, an average of approximately $5 is returned to local economies (Whereas clause).
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Community Protection: More than 180 national wildlife refuges help protect communities by reducing the risk of storm-surge flooding, specifically in coastal areas and low-lying floodplains (Whereas clause). Many refuges also work to reduce wildfire risk by removing invasive species and thinning overgrown forests (Whereas clause).
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Recreation and Heritage: Refuges offer diverse recreational opportunities including sustainable hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, and photography (Whereas clause). They also secure the hunting and fishing heritage of the United States for future generations (Resolution clause 6).
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Community Inclusion and Youth Opportunities: Through the Urban Wildlife Conservation Program, the system works to dismantle barriers for underserved communities and provides education and employment opportunities to youth (Whereas clause; Resolution clause 7).
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Cultural and Historical Preservation: The refuges protect important cultural and historic resources, including archaeological sites, World War II sites, and the home of the father of Harriet Tubman (Whereas clause).
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Tribal Partnerships: The system emphasizes co-stewardship and meaningful engagement with Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, Alaska Native organizations, and the Native Hawaiian community (Whereas clause; Resolution clause 8).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- There are no specific negative impacts or burdens for individuals or groups of people mentioned in the provided 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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The resolution emphasizes the importance of co-stewardship and meaningful engagement with Tribes and Native American organizations. Would children be better off under this? — The resolution states that national wildlife refuges provide an important opportunity for children to discover the natural world. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The resolution highlights the Urban Wildlife Conservation Program's role in connecting urban communities with nature. Would students be better off under this? — The resolution highlights environmental education opportunities provided by the refuge system. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The resolution mentions employment opportunities provided through the Urban Wildlife Conservation Program. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The resolution notes that the Urban Wildlife Conservation Program works to include underserved communities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The resolution recognizes the role of the refuge system in conserving, managing, and restoring fish, wildlife, and plant resources. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The resolution expresses the Senate's intent to support the management of the National Wildlife Refuge System for current and future generations. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The resolution identifies refuges as providing nature-based solutions and climate-resilient habitats.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The resolution states that national wildlife refuges generate more than $3,200,000,000 for local economies. Is this likely to create jobs? — The resolution notes that the National Wildlife Refuge System supports approximately 41,000 jobs.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The resolution highlights the Urban Wildlife Conservation Program's work to dismantle barriers for underserved communities. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The resolution notes that the system provides education and employment opportunities to youth in urban areas.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make it easier to use public money at a school other than the local one? — The resolution mentions that the system provides environmental education and opportunities for youth.
- 10/15/2025
- Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 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. (consideration: CR S7141)
- 10/9/2025
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S7098-7099)
- 14 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.
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Susan CollinsRepublican · Maine
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
John KennedyRepublican · Louisiana
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
John ReedDemocrat · Rhode Island
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island