Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
A resolution recognizing that oceans are warming due to human-caused climate change.
A Democratic resolution with 8 Democratic cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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 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.
What this bill would do
This resolution recognizes that oceans are warming due to human-caused climate change. It notes that the top 2,000 meters of the global ocean have gained significant excess heat since 1955. The text points out that ocean warming harms biodiversity, damages coral reefs, and causes United States fish populations to move. It also highlights that warming waters increase the severity of harmful algal blooms, expand dangerous bacterial pathogens, and fuel stronger hurricanes. Ultimately, the Senate resolves to recognize that climate change is imposing serious harms on our oceans and coastal communities.
Yes
- Scored +2
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
The resolution formally acknowledges the reality of human-caused ocean warming and climate change.
- Scored +2
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
It brings congressional awareness to threats facing marine ecosystems, coral reefs, and fisheries.
- Scored +1
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Brings awareness to issues affecting coastal communities and fisheries, though it provides no material relief.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Acknowledgment of Environmental Threats: The resolution formally recognizes in its final resolved clause that climate change is imposing serious harms on our oceans and on coastal communities. This brings official congressional attention to issues like harmful algal blooms, bacteria, and severe hurricanes that impact the public.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Lack of Actionable Relief: The provided text is solely a resolution recognizing a problem and contains no specific sections, provisions, mandates, or funding to fix the issues of ocean warming, economic uncertainty for fishermen, or public health threats like Vibrio concentrations.
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? — It brings congressional awareness to threats facing marine ecosystems, coral reefs, and fisheries. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The resolution formally acknowledges the reality of human-caused ocean warming and climate change.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Brings awareness to issues affecting coastal communities and fisheries, though it provides no material relief.
- 12/17/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont