Charter of the United States Senate Oceans Caucus

by United States Senate Oceans Caucus

Section 1. Establishment of a Senate Oceans Causus.

On September 13, 2011, the following Senators of the 112th Congress established a Senate Oceans Caucus:

Senators Akaka, Begich, Blumenthal, Boxer, Scott Brown, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Coons, Graham, Inouye, Kerry, Landrieu, Murkowski, Murray, Snowe, Whitehouse, and Wyden.

Section 2. Mission.

The missiong of the Senate Ocean Caucus is to facilitate congressional conversations about our coasts, estuaries, and open oceans and the policies that govern their mangament, use, and protection. Operating within a strong bipartisan framework, the Caucus will educate members and staff by hosting briefings and lectures on ocean and coastal policy and scientific research. The Caucus will also strive to find commons ground on responses to the challenges that face our ocean and coastal ecosystems.

Section 3. Functions.

Members of the Senate Oceans Caucus shall:

(a) At least four times each Congress, convene or direct their staff to convene, a meeting to discuss current events relevant to the Senate Oceans Caucus and policy responses thereto.

(b) Educate fellow Members, constituents, the media, and others about the importance of, and benefits associated with, coherent federal policies regarding the management and use of our oceans and coasts.

(c) Work closely with the Oceans Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to raise the profiel of oceans and coastal issues in the United States Senate.

(d) Where appropriate, explore and pursue adoption of new ocean and coastal policies, and create new incentives and funding mechanisms for more effective policy implementation.

(e) Encourage the inclusion of ocean and coastal policy and management issues in talks with other governments, and where appropriate, explore multilateral partnerships to address these issues.

Section 4. Leadership and sponsorship.

(a) The Senate Oceans Caucus shall be led by two Co-Chairs, comprised of one Member from the Republican Caucus, and one Member from the Democratic Caucus.

(b) The Senate Oceans Caucus shall also be led by two Honorary Co-Chairs, being the Chair and Ranking Member of the United States Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard.

(c) Co-Chairs and Members of the Senate Oceans Caucus may host informational events on behalf of the Senate Oceans Caucus if there is unanimous consent of the Co-Chairs and two additional Members, one Democratic and one Republican, supporting the event.

(d) Co-Chairs or Members of the Senate Oceans Caucus may host informational events on relevant issues at any time, so long as the Co-Chairs are notified of the briefing in wirting one week prior to the event and the sponsoring Co-Chairs or Members make it clear in written materials and remarks that the event does not represent the official position of the Senate Oceans Caucus.