Expressing the need for the Senate to provide advice and consent to ratification of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.

Bill Number

H.Con.Res. 34

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Last Updated

2026-03-27T01:45:01Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 34) urges the U.S. Senate to provide its advice and consent—meaning formal approval—for the ratification of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The CBD is an international treaty aimed at conserving biological diversity (the variety of life on Earth), promoting sustainable use of its components, and ensuring fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources. The resolution highlights the urgency due to global biodiversity loss and the U.S.'s current non-party status.

Key Provisions

• Background Clauses ("Whereas" Statements):
• Recognizes human activities as causing rapid biodiversity loss, with nearly 1,000,000 species at risk of extinction.
• Notes that all UN member states except the U.S. have ratified the CBD, signed in 1992 and by the U.S. in 1993.
• States that U.S. domestic laws already meet CBD obligations, and federal agencies often align their plans with CBD goals.
• Points out that without ratification, the U.S. is limited to "observer" status in CBD meetings, lacking voting rights and influence.
• Emphasizes that CBD decisions impact U.S. national security and economic interests, despite non-party status.
• Acknowledges the U.S.'s past leadership in global conservation and science, though recent policy and funding changes have reduced this role.
• Stresses global interconnectedness, noting CBD work affects all Americans.
• Resolving Clause: Declares it in the national interest for the Senate to approve ratification of the CBD, originally signed by the U.S. in 1993.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a concurrent resolution, not a binding law, so it introduces no changes to existing U.S. statutes or regulations. It serves as a non-binding expression of congressional intent to encourage Senate action on treaty ratification. U.S. domestic laws (e.g., environmental protections) already align with CBD requirements, so ratification would not impose new legal obligations at home.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Federal agencies (e.g., those handling environmental policy) could gain fuller participation in CBD processes, enhancing coordination on conservation initiatives without altering their current compliance.
• On Citizens: Could indirectly benefit Americans by strengthening global efforts to combat biodiversity loss, which affects food security, health, and ecosystems (e.g., preventing species extinctions that impact pollination or medicine).
• On International Relations: Ratification would elevate the U.S. from observer to full party status, granting voting rights and boosting influence in global biodiversity decisions. This might restore U.S. leadership in international conservation, potentially improving diplomatic ties with the 195 other parties and aligning U.S. interests with worldwide environmental goals.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Government: Primarily the Senate (for ratification) and executive agencies like the Department of State and Environmental Protection Agency, which engage in biodiversity policy.
• Conservation and Scientific Communities: U.S.-based organizations, researchers, and experts who contribute to global biodiversity efforts and could gain more direct influence.
• International Partners: UN member states and CBD parties, as U.S. ratification would increase collaborative decision-making on shared environmental challenges.
• General Public and Businesses: Americans and industries (e.g., agriculture, pharmaceuticals) reliant on biodiversity for economic and health benefits.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Constitutional: Reinforces the Senate's exclusive role under Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution to advise and consent on treaties (requiring a two-thirds vote for ratification).
• Legal: No new domestic enforceable obligations, as U.S. laws already comply; however, ratification could expose the U.S. to international dispute mechanisms if conflicts arise, though these are typically non-binding.
• Political: Signals bipartisan or congressional support for re-engaging in multilateral environmental agreements, potentially countering perceptions of U.S. isolationism. It may influence future funding and policy priorities for conservation but lacks legal force to compel action.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• 2025-05-29: Submitted in House
• 2025-05-29: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Expressing the need for the Senate to provide advice and consent to ratification of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. — issued 2025-05-29 — PDF (3 pages)