Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of September 19 through September 26, 2026, as "National Estuaries Week".
A Democratic resolution with 3 Republican cosponsors · See all 28 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text: CR S4801-4802)
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
S. Res. 864 expresses support for designating the week of September 19 through September 26, 2026, as National Estuaries Week. The resolution highlights the economic and ecological importance of estuaries in the United States, noting their contributions to jobs, fisheries, and storm protection. It acknowledges the ongoing threats these areas face from degradation, pollution, and sea level changes. Additionally, the text notes existing federal laws like the Clean Water Act and the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 that protect these water resources. Ultimately, the Senate resolves to support the goals of the week, applaud public partners, and continue working to protect and restore estuaries.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The resolution supports the preservation, protection, and restoration of estuaries and highlights their ecological importance.
- Scored +3
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?
The resolution notes that healthy wetlands and estuaries provide critical flood control and storm protection services.
- Scored +3
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The resolution emphasizes the preservation and protection of coastal and estuarine natural resources.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for National Estuaries Week Designation: The resolution expresses Senate support for designating the week of September 19 through September 26, 2026, as National Estuaries Week under the resolved section (1). This is positive because it aims to increase public awareness among people and government officials regarding the importance of healthy estuaries and the need to protect and restore them.
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Acknowledgment of Economic and Employment Contributions: The resolution acknowledges the importance of estuaries in sustaining employment and the economic well-being of the United States under the resolved section (3). This is positive as it highlights sectors that employ millions of people and contribute hundreds of billions of dollars to the gross domestic product.
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Support for Scientific Study and Restoration: The resolution supports the scientific study, preservation, protection, and restoration of estuaries under the resolved section (6). This is positive because it encourages actions that maintain ecosystem services like water filtration, flood control, shoreline stabilization, and the protection of coastal communities during extreme weather events.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Identified: Based strictly on the provided text, there are no specific provisions or sections identified that impose negative consequences, burdens, or direct harms on 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? — The resolution supports the preservation, protection, and restoration of estuaries and highlights their ecological importance. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The resolution notes that healthy wetlands and estuaries provide critical flood control and storm protection services. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The resolution emphasizes the preservation and protection of coastal and estuarine natural resources. Does this invest in rural communities? — The resolution supports the restoration of natural infrastructure and protection of coastal and estuarine communities.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The resolution highlights that estuary restoration efforts generate an average of 17 jobs for every $1,000,000 invested. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The resolution acknowledges the significant economic output and employment provided by the estuarine and ocean economy.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The resolution supports the protection and restoration of coastal and estuarine areas that benefit local and rural water communities.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The resolution explicitly supports the scientific study and better understanding of the benefits of estuaries.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The resolution increases public awareness among government officials and citizens regarding the health and threats facing estuaries.
- 9/17/2026
- Submitted in Senate
- Referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text: CR S4801-4802)
- 28 Cosponsors added.
9 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-418: A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of September 20 through September 27, 2025, as "National Estuaries Week".
- 118-HRES-688 (not yet synced)
- 118-HRES-1423 (not yet synced)
- 118-SRES-353 (not yet synced)
- 118-SRES-820 (not yet synced)
- 117-HRES-655 (not yet synced)
- 117-HRES-1358 (not yet synced)
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Tammy BaldwinDemocrat · Wisconsin
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Maria CantwellDemocrat · Washington
Bill CassidyRepublican · Louisiana
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Maggie HassanDemocrat · New Hampshire
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