Saving the OOI Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Passed Senate
Summary
Blocks the National Science Foundation from using federal funds to decommission or descope key Ocean Observatories Initiative instruments anchored off certain U.S. coasts and in the Irminger Sea. It requires a thorough review with robust engagement from scientific and coastal communities and keeps monitoring and operations running during that review.
Show full summary
- Scientists and researchers: Instruments anchored off Oregon, Washington, Alaska, North Carolina, and in the Irminger Sea must remain operational, preserving ongoing ocean monitoring and data collection.
- Coastal communities and local stakeholders: The Act mandates robust stakeholder engagement from scientific and coastal communities as part of the required thorough review.
- National Science Foundation operations: The NSF cannot use federal funds to decommission or descope the listed Ocean Observatories Initiative assets and must maintain full, consistent operations until the review and engagement are completed.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Would keep NSF ocean monitors running
If enacted, NSF would be barred from using federal funds to shut down or scale back certain ocean instruments. The pause would cover Ocean Observatories Initiative gear off Oregon, Washington, Alaska, North Carolina, and in the Irminger Sea. NSF would have to keep full, consistent operations and monitoring, including in any states where instruments were previously decommissioned, until a full review is finished. The review would need robust input from scientific and coastal communities. These limits would start upon enactment and last until the review is complete.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
AK • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
AK • R
Sponsored 6/17/2026
Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
WA • D
Sponsored 6/17/2026
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 6/17/2026
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 6/17/2026
Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
WA • D
Sponsored 6/17/2026
Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
RI • D
Sponsored 6/17/2026
Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
RI • D
Sponsored 6/17/2026
Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
WI • D
Sponsored 6/17/2026
Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
MD • D
Sponsored 6/17/2026
Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 6/17/2026
Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 6/17/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov