Ocean Policy Roundup
June 2-9, 2025
Happy World Ocean Day and UN Ocean Conference week!
Who’s in session this week?
The House and Senate are both in session.
Make sure you have the ESP Advisors printable 2025 Congressional Schedule and our public 2025 Congressional Google calendar at your fingertips.
News Highlights
Reps. Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Ed Case (D-HI-01), and Del. James Moylan (R-Guam-At Large) reintroduced the Sustaining America’s Fisheries for the Future Act (H.R.3718). The bill would update and reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), the law guiding federal fisheries management and conservation.
Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK-03) and 15 bipartisan cosponsors reintroduced the Weather Act Reauthorization Act (H.R.3816). The bill would improve and reauthorize NOAA's weather research, support improvements in weather forecasting and prediction, and expand commercial opportunities for the provision of weather data.
Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick faced bipartisan frustration during House and Senate hearings on the FY26 budget, largely related to trade and NOAA. Lawmakers pressed him on proposed cuts to salmon recovery, NOAA’s ocean data gaps, weather forecaster understaffing, and the lack of detail in both the FY25 spend plan and FY26 budget—concerns Lutnick largely sidestepped.
Written by Emily
Budget Reconciliation — Turbulent Seas Ahead
Senate Republicans are racing to finalize their version of the sprawling reconciliation bill, the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” before the July 4 recess. Most committees introduced their portions of the bill last week. The provisions we’ve seen so far that would impact ocean issues rescind any remaining unobligated Inflation Reduction Act funds (more on this here).
Some bills provide new funding, like the $24.6 billion provided to the Coast Guard in the Senate Commerce Committee bill. It would fund infrastructure, vessels, aircraft, and uncrewed systems, and establish Coastal Sentinel, a next-generation sensor network to rapidly identify maritime threats.
Fractures between Republican leaders, House conservatives, and the White House are already complicating the path forward. Congress’ nonpartisan scorekeeper released its full score Wednesday of the version House Republicans passed along party lines last month, predicting that the measure would grow the federal deficit by $2.4 trillion.
In the Senate, battles are brewing over tax breaks, Medicaid, and clean-energy rollbacks. Elon Musk trashed the bill last week, and Democrats are seizing the moment to pressure vulnerable senators. Once the Senate passes its version, the bill will have to go back to the House for final approval. It passed by a single vote last time, and we’re betting the Senate will make changes the House won’t love.
Commerce and NOAA Hearings
Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick faced bipartisan frustration during House and Senate hearings on the FY26 budget, largely related to trade and NOAA. He voiced support for fishermen and floated plans to centralize and modernize weather forecasting. Lawmakers pressed him on proposed cuts to salmon recovery, NOAA’s ocean data gaps, weather forecaster understaffing, and the lack of detail in both the FY25 spend plan and FY26 budget—concerns Lutnick largely sidestepped.
House FY26 Appropriations Markups Continue
The House Appropriations Committee is continuing to draft and review its spending bills for FY26. Check out the schedule here.
ESP University
Confused about the difference between a budget request and budget rescission? Here’s our explainer.
Need a reminder about the Impoundment Control Act and the separation of power over spending? Here’s our summary.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Tuesday, September 30: FY26 government funding deadline
June 10, 2025
2:00 PM — Meeting to consider the Rescissions Act of 2025 (H.R.4); House Committee on Rules
June 11, 2025
2:00 PM — Full Committee Markup; House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
June 12, 2025
10:00 AM — Finding Nemo’s Future: Conflicts over Ocean Resources; Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries
Introductions
Reps. Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), Nick Begich (R-AK-At Large), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), Jared Golden (D-ME-02), and Del. Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS-At Large) introduced a bill to reauthorize the Young Fishermen’s Development Act (H.R.3692). The Act would support a competitive grant program to facilitate the training and education of the next generation of commercial fishermen.
Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA-06) and Del. James Moylan (R-Guam-At Large) introduced the Maintaining Area Rights and Integrity Through International Maritime Enforcement (MARITIME) Act (H.R.3748). The bill would require the U.S. Department of State to report to Congress on how the U.S. is advancing policies related to the effects of sea level rise on statehood and maritime zones of countries.
Reps. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX-02), Seth Magaziner (D-RI-02), and Nick Begich (R-AK-At Large) introduced the Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvest (FISH) Act (H.R.3756). The bill would increase the U.S.’s capacity to counter IUU fishing through technologies, collaboration with fisheries management organizations and other countries, and reports. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) leads the Senate version of the bill.
Rep. Thomas Kean (R-NJ-07) introduced the Protecting Coasts and Cities from Severe Weather Act (H.R.3771). The bill would increase the observations, understanding, and forecasting of coastal flooding and storm surge events, to address weather observation gaps in highly vulnerable areas.
Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Angus King (I-ME) reintroduced the Working Waterfronts Act (S.1968). The bill would support rural coastal and maritime economic development.
Resident Commissioner Pablo Jose Hernandez (D-PR-At Large) and Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA-02) introduced a bill to require the Comptroller General of the U.S. to conduct a study on the effects of coastal erosion on tourism and other businesses in Puerto Rico (H.R.3814).
Reps. Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Ed Case (D-HI-01), and Del. James Moylan (R-Guam-At Large) reintroduced the Sustaining America’s Fisheries for the Future Act (H.R.3718). The bill would update and reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), the law guiding federal fisheries management and conservation.
Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27), and Don Beyer (D-VA-08) introduced a House resolution recognizing World Oceans Day and the need to protect, conserve, maintain, and rebuild the ocean and its resources (H.Res.482).
Reps. Daniel Webster (R-FL-11) and Darren Soto (D-FL-09) introduced the Florida Safe Seas Act (H.R.3831). The bill would prohibit shark feeding in the exclusive economic zone off of Florida’s coastline.
Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) reintroduced the Opposing the Cultivation and Trade of Octopus Produced through Unethical Strategies (OCTOPUS) Act (S.1947). The bill would ban commercial octopus farming in the U.S. and prohibit imports of commercially farmed octopus from foreign countries.
Reps. Brian Babin (R-TX-36) and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18) introduced the Fog Observation and Geographic Forecasting Act (H.R.3705). The bill would require NOAA to conduct a project to improve forecasts of coastal marine fog.
Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK-03) and 15 bipartisan cosponsors reintroduced the Weather Act Reauthorization Act (H.R.3816). The bill would improve and reauthorize NOAA's weather research, support improvements in weather forecasting and prediction, and expand commercial opportunities for the provision of weather data.
Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX-36) introduced the Standards for Understanding Source and Habitat Identification (SUSHI) Act (H.R.3706). The bill would require NIST and NOAA to develop a standard methodology for identifying the country of origin of seafood to support enforcement against IUU fishing.
Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Brian Mast (R-FL-21) reintroduced the Forage Fish Conservation Act (H.R.3714). The bill would improve protections for forage fish that support marine ecosystems and recreational and commercial fish species.
Reps. Josh Harder (D-CA-09), John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10), and Adam Gray (D-CA-13) introduced a bill to amend the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to establish a demonstration program with respect to the golden mussel (H.R.3717).
Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY-20) reintroduced the Offshore Energy Modernization Act (H.R.3742). The bill would provide leasing and permitting guidelines to support the development of offshore renewable energy projects.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) introduced a suite of bills that would codify several of President Trump’s Executive Orders (EOs), including EO14285 titled "Unleashing America's Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources” (H.R.3803).
Updates
Sen. Roger Wicker’s (R-MS) TORNADO Act (S.258) passed through the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It can now head to the Senate floor for a vote.
Congressional Oversight
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and veteran meteorologists highlighted concerns that key National Weather Service forecasting offices are undermanned and critical programs like the NOAA buoy system are at risk. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) also questioned Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick about these NOAA firings, where he testified NOAA is “fully staffed.”
Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and 18 other senators sent a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum over proposed $564 million in cuts to the U.S. Geological Survey and reported plans by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to terminate hundreds of scientists and shut down key facilities. The senators warned these actions would jeopardize work including monitoring of invasive species and harmful algal blooms.
At the House Transportation and Infrastructure hearing “The Future of the Coast Guard: Review of Coast Guard Programs and Structure,” Democrats criticized the Administration’s Coast Guard budget as dangerously inadequate for infrastructure and growth, while Republicans also warned that the Administration’s funding request falls short of its own historical investment and modernization goals.
Fisheries and Ecosystems
NOAA Fisheries celebrates its annual Sea Turtle Week June 9-16, 2025 and highlights conservation efforts to protect all six endangered or threatened sea turtle species.
Ocean Science and Technology
The White House launched the Categorical Exclusion Explorer, a digital tool that provides searchable access to federal agencies’ categorical exclusions under NEPA, which they hope will “accelerate environmental reviews and permitting processes.”
The White House released a proclamation designating June 2025 as National Ocean Month, in which President Trump called on all Americans to “reflect on the value and importance of oceans not only to our security, environment, and economy but also as a source of recreation and enjoyment.” This proclamation emphasized White House plans to continue the development of mineral and offshore resource capabilities, as well reopen the Pacific Remote Islands National Monument to commercial fishing.
Offshore Energy
EPA Administrator Zeldin, Interior Secretary Burgum, Energy Secretary Wright traveled to North Slope, Alaska where they promoted President Trump’s proposed One Big Beautiful Bill. They highlighted provisions to expedite permitting, reduce regulations, and mandate offshore lease sales.
The 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) opened today with an urgent call to accelerate global efforts to protect and sustainably manage the world’s oceans. Co-hosted by the Governments of France and Costa Rica, the gathering brings together world leaders, scientists, private sector representatives, and Indigenous Peoples to address the mounting threats against marine ecosystems. The overarching theme of the Conference this year is “accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.” Over the next five days, participants will advance key priorities to support Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, a UN goal to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.” Panels will include discussions of ratifying the Marine Biodiversity Treaty, ending illegal fishing, expanding marine protected areas, decarbonizing maritime transport, combating plastic pollution, and unlocking innovative ocean finance.