Summary of HCONRES 29 (2025)

Overview

HCONRES 29 is a House Concurrent Resolution introduced in the 118th Congress expressing support for the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. It is a non-binding, symbolic measure that reflects the sense of Congress rather than creating or changing law. The bill was introduced on April 21, 2025, and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on the same day.

Purpose and Intent

• To express congressional support for the action of the President to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement.
• The bill clarifies that, for purposes of the resolution, the “Paris Agreement” refers to the decision adopted at the 21st Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Paris, France, on December 12, 2015.

Key Provisions

• A single, declarative statement: Congress supports the President’s action to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.
• Definition clause: Explicitly defines the Paris Agreement as the UNFCCC COP21 decision adopted December 12, 2015.
• Nature of instrument: As a House Concurrent Resolution, it expresses sentiment of both chambers but does not enact policy, authorize actions, or allocate funds.

Sponsors

• Primary sponsor: Andy Barr. No additional sponsors are listed in the provided information.

Procedural and Timeline Details

• Introduced: April 21, 2025.
• Status: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs (the same date as introduction).
• Further actions: No additional action listed in the provided details (e.g., no floor schedule or passage information).

Affected Parties and Potential Impact

• Affected or interested audiences:
  • The Executive Branch, particularly the President and U.S. diplomats, as the resolution signals congressional support or opposition to withdrawal.
  • International partners and stakeholders involved in climate policy and the Paris Agreement framework.
  • U.S. states, businesses, and civil society groups aligned with or opposed to withdrawal.
• Impact:
  • Non-binding and symbolic; does not change law or impose new requirements.
  • Could influence political or diplomatic messaging and signal congressional stance on climate policy.
  • Does not itself withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement; withdrawal action remains a presidential decision, if pursued.

Notes

• The bill’s content is minimal and focused solely on expressing support for withdrawal.
• As a concurrent resolution, its effect is primarily ceremonial, outlining the sentiment of Congress rather than creating statutory obligations.