Condemning the United Nations and International Maritime Organization for proposing a global tax on shipping emissions, threatening United States sovereignty, trade, and economic interests.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 812
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-10-17: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2025-11-21T16:11:01Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 812) aims to formally condemn the United Nations (UN) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for proposing a "Net-Zero Framework" that would impose a global tax or fee on emissions from maritime shipping. It asserts U.S. sovereignty over taxation, trade, and emissions policies, emphasizing that such decisions should be made by elected U.S. officials rather than international bodies.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes several declarative statements and directives:
- Condemnation of the proposal: Labels the IMO's framework as an illegitimate effort to create a global carbon tax that undermines national sovereignty and harms U.S. economic interests.
- Opposition to international taxes: Rejects any global taxes, tariffs, or fees imposed by international organizations on U.S. companies, workers, or consumers.
- Call to action for the President: Urges the President to direct U.S. representatives at the IMO to vote against the emissions tax and related enforcement measures.
- Affirmation of U.S. authority: States that no U.S.-flagged ships or shipping companies can be taxed or penalized by international bodies without congressional approval.
- Recommendation for countermeasures: Encourages the administration to consider retaliatory actions, such as tariffs or restrictions, against countries or entities enforcing or benefiting from the tax on U.S. commerce.
- Reaffirmation of U.S. principles: Supports free enterprise, energy independence, and protection of American jobs from global regulations.
- Transmission of the resolution: Instructs the House Clerk to send copies to key U.S. officials, including the President, Secretaries of State, Energy, and Transportation, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, and the U.S. delegation to the IMO.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, meaning it expresses the House of Representatives' position but does not create, amend, or repeal any laws. It reinforces existing U.S. principles of sovereignty but introduces no statutory changes.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Could guide U.S. diplomatic and policy responses at the IMO, prompting agencies like the State Department and Department of Transportation to prioritize opposition to the proposal, potentially straining resources for international negotiations.
- On citizens and economy: Aims to protect U.S. consumers from higher shipping costs and prices for imported goods; supports workers in shipping, manufacturing, and energy sectors by opposing measures that could reduce U.S. competitiveness.
- On international relations: May escalate tensions with the UN, IMO, and supportive nations by signaling U.S. resistance to global climate initiatives, potentially complicating multilateral efforts on emissions and trade.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. government officials and agencies: Including the President, Congress, State Department, and IMO delegation, who are directed to act against the proposal.
- American industries and workers: Shipping companies, exporters, manufacturers, and energy sector employees, who could face higher costs from the tax.
- Consumers: Potentially shielded from increased prices on goods transported by sea.
- International organizations and foreign governments: The UN and IMO face formal U.S. condemnation; nations enforcing the tax could encounter U.S. retaliatory measures.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal implications: Reinforces U.S. control over taxation and trade under domestic law, invoking the principle of "no taxation without representation" (a historical idea that taxes must be approved by elected representatives, not external entities).
- Constitutional implications: Highlights Congress's role in taxation and commerce (as outlined in Article I of the U.S. Constitution), asserting that international bodies cannot impose costs without U.S. consent.
- Political implications: Reflects partisan opposition to global climate regulations, echoing past U.S. stances (e.g., under the Trump Administration) and potentially influencing future U.S. environmental and trade policies amid debates on sovereignty versus international cooperation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27], Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3]
Recent Actions
- 2025-10-17: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-10-17: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-10-17: Submitted in House
- 2025-10-17: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Condemning the United Nations and International Maritime Organization for proposing a global tax on shipping emissions, threatening United States sovereignty, trade, and economic interests. — issued 2025-10-17 — PDF (4 pages)