# 119-sres-552: A resolution recognizing that oceans are warming due to human-caused climate change.

119-sres-552, A resolution recognizing that oceans are warming due to human-caused climate change., is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI] (D-RI); status introduced (as of 2026-09-10).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-552
- As of: 2026-09-10
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-sres-552
- Congress: 119
- Title: A resolution recognizing that oceans are warming due to human-caused climate change.
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-12-17
- Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI] (D-RI)
- Cosponsors: 8
- Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-10

## 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. - 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.

## Cosponsors (8)

- Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR), 2025-12-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] (D-HI), 2025-12-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] (D-MA), 2025-12-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD] (D-MD), 2025-12-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] (D-IL), 2025-12-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA] (D-CA), 2025-12-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT] (D-VT), 2025-12-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE] (D-DE), 2025-12-17T00:00:00.000Z

## Related bills

- 119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-s-2823: FAMILY Act
- 119-s-3869: Healthy Families Act
- 119-s-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act
- 119-s-5108: Right to IVF Act of 2026
- 119-s-1503: Equality Act

## Sources
- [119-sres-552 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-resolution/552)

## Related
- [119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5066)
- [119-s-2823: FAMILY Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2823)
- [119-s-3869: Healthy Families Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3869)
- [119-s-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-51)
- [119-s-5108: Right to IVF Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5108)
- [119-s-1503: Equality Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1503)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-552 (as of 2026-09-10).