Bill · S.Res. 864· Senate(119-SRES-864)
A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of September 19 through September 26, 2026, as "National Estuaries Week".
- Introduced
- 9/17/2026
- Last activity
- 9/17/2026 — Referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text: CR S4801-4802)
- Sponsored by
- Sheldon Whitehouse
- Cosponsors
- - 24 - 3
- 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
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+5
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?+3
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?+3
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. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+5Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+3Improves Public Land Management+3Improves Rural Development+2
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Economic Growth+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- 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