A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States, States, cities, Tribal nations, businesses, institutions of higher education, and other institutions in the United States should work toward achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 36
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-24: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S372-373)
- Last Updated
- 2025-05-01T10:56:32Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate Resolution (S. Res. 36) expresses the non-binding sense of the Senate that the United States, along with states, cities, Tribal nations, businesses, universities, and other institutions, should actively work to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement—a 2015 international pact under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change aimed at limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius (preferably 1.5 degrees) above pre-industrial levels through reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes a detailed preamble citing scientific, economic, and policy evidence on climate change, followed by three main statements of the Senate's sense:
- Remain in the Paris Agreement: The U.S. should continue as a party to the agreement.
- Support emission-reduction policies: Federal, state, and local governments should back policies that cut "global warming pollution" (greenhouse gases) to meet Paris Agreement targets.
- Encourage societal action: The U.S. should recognize and support efforts by businesses, investors, and broader American society to address climate change.
The preamble highlights:
- Human-caused climate change impacts, including disproportionate effects on vulnerable communities and economic damages (e.g., $182.7 billion from 27 U.S. disasters in 2024).
- U.S. progress, such as renewable energy surpassing coal in 2022, growth in electric vehicle sales (8% of new vehicles in 2024), and investments from laws like the Inflation Reduction Act (creating over 400,000 clean energy jobs).
- Subnational actions, including 32 states with climate plans and commitments by cities, counties, and companies to 100% renewable energy.
- Global context, like China's investments in clean energy and the need for U.S. leadership to compete internationally.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a resolution, not a bill, so it introduces no legal changes or enforceable requirements. It does not amend statutes, create new programs, or impose obligations. Instead, it serves as a formal statement of Senate opinion to guide future policy without altering current law.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: May encourage federal agencies (e.g., Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy) to prioritize Paris-aligned initiatives, building on existing investments like the Inflation Reduction Act, but without mandating action.
- Citizens: Could promote job growth in clean energy (e.g., up to 2.9 million jobs by 2035) and health benefits (e.g., reduced air pollution preventing 25,000 premature deaths via vehicle standards), while highlighting protections for low-income and vulnerable communities.
- International relations: Reinforces U.S. commitment to global climate efforts, potentially strengthening ties with allies and countering perceptions of unreliability after the 2017 withdrawal (reversed in 2021). It underscores competition with major emitters like China in clean energy markets.
No direct fiscal or regulatory impacts, as the resolution is symbolic.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Subnational entities: States (e.g., 32 with climate plans), cities (90 with clean energy goals), Tribal nations, and the District of Columbia.
- Private sector: Businesses (217 committed to 100% renewables), investors, automakers, and energy companies (e.g., solar, wind, and clean vehicle sectors employing nearly 500,000 people).
- Public institutions: Universities, healthcare organizations, faith groups, and cultural entities in coalitions like America Is All In.
- Citizens and workers: Especially those in climate-vulnerable areas, low-income communities (benefiting from 75-85% of Inflation Reduction Act investments), and clean energy job sectors outpacing the economy.
- Federal government: Senate, executive agencies, and international partners under the Paris Agreement.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Non-binding nature means no court-enforceable effects; it aligns with existing U.S. rejoining of the Paris Agreement in 2021 but does not require ratification (as an executive agreement, not a treaty).
- Constitutional: Falls within Congress's role in foreign affairs and commerce (Article I), allowing the Senate to express views on international commitments without overriding executive actions.
- Political: Signals bipartisan or Democratic support for climate action (introduced by 22 senators, mostly Democrats) amid debates on U.S. global leadership. It highlights subnational momentum to sustain progress despite federal shifts, potentially influencing elections, budgets, and negotiations at events like UN climate conferences. No partisan bias is implied in the text, focusing on evidence-based urgency.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (22)
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN], Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI], Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI], Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-24: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S372-373)
- 2025-01-24: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States, States, cities, Tribal nations, businesses, institutions of higher education, and other institutions in the United States should work toward achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. — issued 2025-01-24 — PDF (7 pages)