A resolution expressing the need for the Federal Government to establish a national biodiversity strategy for protecting biodiversity for current and future generations.

Bill Number

S.Res. 248

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Environmental Protection

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-05-22: Referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text: CR S3121-3122)

Last Updated

2025-05-28T13:18:38Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This Senate resolution (S. Res. 248) expresses the Senate's view that the U.S. Federal Government should create a national biodiversity strategy. Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in ecosystems, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. The goal is to protect and restore this diversity to benefit current and future generations by addressing the ongoing global and national crisis caused by human activities.

Key Provisions

The resolution includes detailed background ("Whereas" clauses) on the biodiversity crisis and then states the Senate's position ("Resolved" clause). Main elements include:

• Recognition of the Crisis: Highlights how human actions, such as habitat alteration, overexploitation, climate change, pollution, and invasive species, have damaged ecosystems. It cites statistics like 1 million species at risk of extinction, 68% average decline in populations of key animal groups, and economic losses (e.g., $500 billion in crops at risk from pollinator decline).

• Impacts on Services and Communities: Notes declines in essential benefits from nature, like food production, clean water, and recreation. It emphasizes disproportionate effects on indigenous peoples (e.g., Native Americans and Alaska Natives), communities of color, low-income groups, and Tribal communities, who rely on ecosystems and have been historically excluded from conservation.

• Current U.S. Shortcomings: Points out the lack of a coordinated federal policy, no national biodiversity report (unlike other countries), and U.S. non-participation in key international agreements like the Convention on Biological Diversity.

• Recommended Pathways: Urges actions like protecting 30% of U.S. lands, waters, and oceans by 2030 ("30x30" goal), restoring habitats, reducing pesticides, and controlling invasives. It calls for integrating indigenous knowledge and addressing climate change.

• Sense of the Senate: Declares it in the national interest to establish a strategy that:
• Conserves and restores U.S. biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• Aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Promotes equity, coordinates federal agencies, and fosters collaboration with states, tribes, landowners, and international partners.
• Honors federal trust responsibilities to tribes (obligations to protect tribal interests).

The strategy should cover specifics like achieving 30x30, protecting endangered species, climate adaptation (e.g., creating "climate refugia" or safe zones for species), reviewing laws for biodiversity alignment, equitable resource allocation, regular reporting to Congress, research funding, and international leadership.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

As a non-binding resolution, it introduces no direct legal changes. However, it urges federal agencies to review and potentially update existing laws, plans, and programs (e.g., environmental statutes) to better support biodiversity. It recommends new laws or strategies if needed and calls for reducing harmful subsidies (e.g., those encouraging overfishing or land clearing).

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Could prompt coordination among agencies like the EPA, Interior Department, and USDA to integrate biodiversity into policies, including foreign aid and trade. It may lead to new reporting requirements and funding shifts toward conservation.

• On Citizens: Aims to safeguard ecosystem services (e.g., clean air, pollination for food, disease prevention), potentially improving health, economy, and recreation. It promotes equity, reducing disproportionate harms to vulnerable communities through inclusive decision-making and access to nature.

• On International Relations: Encourages U.S. leadership by joining global agreements, supporting worldwide 30x30 goals, and incorporating biodiversity into diplomacy and security strategies. This could strengthen U.S. ties with allies on climate and conservation but might require renegotiating trade or aid policies.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Government: Agencies responsible for conservation, foreign policy, and funding.
• State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Partners in implementation, with emphasis on tribal rights and knowledge.
• Indigenous and Marginalized Communities: Native Americans, Alaska Natives, communities of color, and low-income groups, who face biodiversity loss most acutely and stand to gain from equitable protections.
• Private Sector and Landowners: Farmers, fishers, and businesses affected by incentives for sustainable practices or subsidy reductions.
• Nongovernmental Groups: Environmental organizations, scientists, and civil society involved in collaboration and research.
• International Partners: Countries and organizations in global biodiversity efforts, potentially influenced by U.S. actions.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Urges assessing and amending laws to align with biodiversity goals, potentially expanding protections under acts like the Endangered Species Act. It highlights the need to join international treaties, which would require Senate ratification.

• Constitutional: Reinforces federal trust obligations to tribes under treaties and the Constitution, ensuring tribal input in decisions affecting their lands and resources.

• Political: Signals bipartisan (though introduced by Democrats) push for U.S. global leadership amid climate debates. As a "sense of the Senate" resolution, it builds momentum for future legislation without enforcing action, but could influence budget priorities or executive orders on conservation.

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

Sponsor

Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

Cosponsors (1)

Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

Recent Actions

• 2025-05-22: Referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text: CR S3121-3122)
• 2025-05-22: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Expressing the need for the Federal Government to establish a national biodiversity strategy for protecting biodiversity for current and future generations. — issued 2025-05-22 — PDF (10 pages)