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119-sres-552119th Congress

A resolution recognizing that oceans are warming due to human-caused climate change.

Sponsored By: Senator Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

Introduced

Summary

Ocean warming would be recognized as imposing serious harms on marine ecosystems and coastal communities. The resolution cites that oceans absorb about 14 zettajoules of excess heat each year and that the top 2,000 meters have gained roughly 372 zettajoules since 1955.

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  • Families and coastal communities: Warmer seas increase evaporation and humidity, fueling stronger hurricanes and heavier rain. In the North Atlantic, warming made hurricanes on average one category stronger, with wind speeds about 18.6 mph faster.
  • Fishermen and fishing communities: Fish populations will move across international boundaries or into the high seas, creating economic uncertainty for fishermen.
  • Marine life and ecosystems: Warming and acidification threaten coral reefs, phytoplankton, and species with calcium carbonate shells that support ocean food webs. Coral reefs contribute about $3.4 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
  • Public health, recreation, and drinking water: Warmer waters expand harmful algal blooms and Vibrio bacteria, which can cause severe illness. Harmful algal blooms cost about $10 million to $100 million annually on average and harm drinking water, public health, recreation, and tourism.
  • Science and future risk: The resolution notes the rate of warming in the top 2,000 meters is projected by 2100 to be about 2 to 6 times greater than at the time of the resolution.

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Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

RI • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 12/17/2025

  • Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 12/17/2025

  • Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 12/17/2025

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 12/17/2025

  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 12/17/2025

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/17/2025

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 12/17/2025

  • Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 12/17/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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