Summary of SCONRES 18

Bill Number: SCONRES 18

Title: A concurrent resolution recognizing a health and safety emergency disproportionately affecting the fundamental rights of children due to the Trump administration's directives that unleash fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, while suppressing climate change science.

Status: Introduced in Senate

Introduced: July 16, 2025

Classification: Resolution

Purpose and Intent

SCONRES 18 aims to formally recognize a health and safety emergency that disproportionately impacts children’s fundamental rights due to policies enacted during the Trump administration. The resolution asserts that these policies have led to increased fossil fuel production and greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change and undermining scientific understanding of its impacts.

Key Provisions

• Recognition of Emergency: The resolution acknowledges a health and safety emergency affecting children’s rights to life, liberty, and property due to increased pollution and climate change.

• Critique of Policies: It critiques the Trump administration's directives that:

  • Expand fossil fuel extraction and production.
  • Suppress access to climate science data.
  • Invoke emergency powers to justify increased fossil fuel reliance.

• Health Impact Estimates: The resolution cites expert findings indicating that the policies could lead to an estimated additional 195,857 deaths over the next 25 years due to increased air pollution.

• Call for Action: It emphasizes the need for the United States to transition to clean, renewable energy to stabilize the climate and protect children's rights.

Affected Parties

• Children: The resolution highlights that children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and pollution due to their developmental stages and longer lifespans.

• Public Health: The resolution underscores the broader public health implications of climate change, which disproportionately affect younger populations.

Procedural Aspects

• Committee Referral: Upon introduction, the resolution was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works for further consideration.

• Sponsorship: The resolution is sponsored by Senator Jeff Merkley, with multiple cosponsors including Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester, Richard Blumenthal, Chris Van Hollen, Ron Wyden, Peter Welch, Bernie Sanders, Edward J. Markey, Adam B. Schiff, Cory Booker, and Sheldon Whitehouse.

Conclusion

SCONRES 18 serves as a legislative acknowledgment of the urgent health and safety challenges posed by climate change, particularly for children. It calls for a reevaluation of policies that prioritize fossil fuel production over environmental protection and public health, advocating for a transition to renewable energy sources to safeguard future generations.