Bill · S. 3509· Senate(119-S-3509)
Global Climate Resilience Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 12/16/2025
- Last activity
- 12/16/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Sponsored by
- Peter Welch
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Global Climate Resilience Act of 2025. It sets up a system to reduce or swap the debt of developing countries so they can build resilience against extreme weather and slow-onset climate disasters. To qualify, a country must be democratically elected, respect human rights, and have a plan to use the benefits for climate resilience or recovery. The legislation also directs United States representatives at international financial institutions to support debt reduction policies for vulnerable countries. Finally, it requires the United States to push for an international climate insurance program at the World Bank to provide immediate financial help after natural disasters.
Yes· 3 of 19
Does this send more money or help to other countries?+5
The legislation increases international assistance through targeted debt reduction and climate resilience programs.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+4
The legislation mandates support for nature-based solutions and climate disaster adaptation planning.
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+4
Advocating for a parametric international climate insurance program helps provide rapid financial relief following natural disasters.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-2
The bill authorizes appropriations of such sums as may be necessary for debt reduction and swaps, potentially increasing federal expenditures.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
Authorizing unspecified appropriations for foreign debt relief increases potential government spending.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?-1
Providing open-ended authorization for debt relief could be seen as fiscally unconstrained.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2 (Section 901(b)(3)(A) and (B)): This provision gives preference to countries whose resilience plans involve local communities and Indigenous peoples, and which aim to reduce gender, income, and social inequalities. This is a positive step because it ensures that everyday people and marginalized groups are directly included in planning and benefit from the solutions.
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Section 2 (Section 901(d)(1)(A)(ii)): The President is allowed to purchase privately owned debt of an eligible country for not more than sixty-five percent of its face value to facilitate debt-for-resilience swaps. This is beneficial because it can lower the overall debt burden of struggling nations more cheaply.
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Section 4 (Section 4(a)): This part directs United States representatives at the World Bank to advocate for a parametric international climate insurance program that gives immediate financial assistance to eligible countries following natural disasters. This is a positive outcome because it gets recovery money to disaster-stricken areas quickly.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 2 (Section 901(c)(1)(B) and Section 901(d)(1)(D)): The bill authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the debt reduction and debt-for-resilience swap provisions. This could be viewed as a negative outcome or burden for United States taxpayers, as it leaves the door open for an unspecified amount of government spending.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+4Improves Environmental Protections+4Reduces Carbon Emissions+3Improves Public Land Management+2Improves Rural Development+2Increases Renewable Energy Investment+2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Foreign Aid+5Improves Diplomatic Engagement+4Improves International Alliances+4Improves International Trade+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+2Good For Rural Residents+2Good For Women+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Gender Equality+2Improves Poverty Reduction+2Improves Racial Equity+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+1Reduces Government Spending-2Reduces National Debt-2Improves Fiscal Responsibility-1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2Increases Federal Power+2
- 12/16/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey