Integrated Ocean Observation System Reauthorization Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/s/2126
Last Updated: June 1, 2026

Sponsored by

Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

ID: W000437

Follow the money

The bill

Integrated Ocean Observation System Reauthorization Act of 2025

S. 2126, 119th Congress β€” read as touching Telecommunications.

The sponsor

Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$682,800 raised

25 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 405.

May 10, 2026

Introduced

πŸ“ Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

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Committee Review

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Floor Action

βœ…

Passed Senate

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House Review

πŸŽ‰

Passed Congress

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Presidential Action

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Became Law

πŸ“š How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the 119th Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Integrated Ocean Observation System Reauthorization Act of 2025 is a rehashing of the 2009 act, with some minor tweaks to make it seem like our esteemed lawmakers are actually doing something. The main purpose? To reauthorize funding for ocean observation systems, because who doesn't love throwing money at problems without actually solving them?

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** Oh boy, where do I even start? They're changing "Council" to "Committee" throughout the bill, because that's clearly the most pressing issue facing our nation. They're also inserting "ocean" and "meteorological" into various sections, likely to make it seem like they're addressing climate change without actually doing anything meaningful. And, of course, they're adding more bureaucratic red tape by requiring regional associations to collaborate with coastal observing systems. Because what we really need is more paperwork and less actual progress.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects: ocean observation system operators, regional associations, federally funded projects, and the poor souls who have to deal with the resulting bureaucratic mess. Oh, and let's not forget the politicians who get to pat themselves on the back for "doing something" about ocean conservation.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** *yawn* More of the same. This bill will likely result in a few million dollars being thrown at ocean observation systems, which will probably be squandered on bureaucratic overhead and pointless studies. Meanwhile, actual issues like climate change, overfishing, and coastal erosion will continue to worsen. But hey, at least our lawmakers can say they "did something" about it.

In conclusion, this bill is a perfect example of legislative placebo effect: it looks like something is being done, but in reality, it's just a bunch of empty calories. The real disease here is the chronic incompetence and corruption that plagues our government, and this bill is just another symptom of that disease. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than watch our lawmakers pretend to be competent.

Related Topics

Climate Change & SustainabilityWater & Air Quality RegulationsWildlife & Endangered Species
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

πŸ’° Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

Congress 119 β€’ 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$682,800
21 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$44,500
Committees
$0
Individuals
$638,300

No PAC contributions found

1
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
1 transaction
$25,000
2
MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
1 transaction
$15,000
3
WT CONSULTANTS LLC
1 transaction
$2,500
4
WAYPOINT CONSULTING, LLC
1 transaction
$1,000
5
HEDERMAN BROTHERS, LLC
1 transaction
$1,000

No committee contributions found

1
HALE, ROBERT T. JR.
2 transactions
$150,000
2
CHOUEST, GARY
1 transaction
$100,000
3
DUFF, THOMAS M.
2 transactions
$75,000
4
BLUE, J. NEAL
1 transaction
$50,000
5
GOLDING, STEPHEN D.
2 transactions
$50,000
6
ELLIOTT, MAC
1 transaction
$25,000
7
GOLDING, MELODY
1 transaction
$25,000
8
YATES, WILLIAM G. JR.
1 transaction
$25,000
9
ACKERMAN, FORREST
1 transaction
$25,000
10
VAN DEVENDER, WILLIAM J.
2 transactions
$25,000
11
TURNAGE, BEN O.
1 transaction
$19,900
12
MCRAE, DAVID
1 transaction
$18,400
13
GREEN, JOHNSON M.
1 transaction
$15,000
14
HURST, PAUL
1 transaction
$12,500
15
BARBOUR, HALEY
1 transaction
$12,500
16
CHOUEST AUSTIN, DIONNE
1 transaction
$10,000

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 7 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]

ID: C000127

Top Contributors

10

1
SAC FOX TRIBE
OrganizationTAMA, IA
$5,000
Oct 29, 2024
2
LOWER ELWHA KLALLAM TRIBE
OrganizationPORT ANGELES, WA
$3,360
Mar 31, 2023
3
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationHIGHLAND, CA
$3,300
Oct 28, 2023
4
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationHIGHLAND, CA
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
5
SAN PABLO LYTTON TRIBE
OrganizationSAN PABLO, CA
$3,300
Nov 16, 2023
6
SAN PABLO LYTTON TRIBE
OrganizationSAN PABLO, CA
$3,300
Nov 16, 2023
7
SAULT STE MARIE TRIBE OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS
OrganizationSAULT SAINTE MARIE, MI
$3,300
Dec 14, 2023
8
SENECA NATION OF INDIANS
OrganizationSALAMANCA, NY
$3,300
Dec 14, 2023
9
MUCKLESHOOT INDIAN TRIBE
OrganizationAUBURN, WA
$3,300
May 12, 2023
10
NISQUALLY INDIAN TRIBE
OrganizationOLYMPIA, WA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2023

Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]

ID: H001079

Top Contributors

10

1
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$2,900
Feb 28, 2023
2
MS BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
OrganizationCHOCTAW, MS
$1,500
May 31, 2023
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 20, 2024
4
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$250
Mar 11, 2024
5
LUROS, HILARY
HOUSEWIFE β€’ HOUSEWIFE
IndividualSUGAR LAND, TX
$6,600
Oct 21, 2024
6
LUROS, HILARY
HOUSEWIFE β€’ HOUSEWIFE
IndividualSUGAR LAND, TX
$6,600
Oct 21, 2024
7
BESSENT, SCOTT
KEY SQUARE GROUP β€’ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
IndividualCHARLESTON, SC
$6,600
Dec 31, 2024
8
FREEMAN, JOHN
HIGH PLAINS ACRES LLP β€’ ATTORNEY/AGRICULTURE
IndividualCHARLESTON, SC
$6,600
Dec 31, 2024
9
CASTLE, JOHN
CASTLE HARLAN β€’ MERCHANT BANKER
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Mar 26, 2024
10
SEEMANN, WILLIAM III
SEEMANN COMPOSITES β€’ CHAIRMAN
IndividualPASS CHRISTIAN, MS
$6,600
Jun 20, 2024

Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]

ID: M001153

Top Contributors

10

1
MUCKLESHOOT INDIAN TRIBE
OrganizationAUBURN, WA
$3,300
May 15, 2023
2
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$2,500
Dec 20, 2023
3
MUCKLESHOOT INDIAN TRIBE
OrganizationAUBURN, WA
$1,000
Nov 20, 2024
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Oct 26, 2023
5
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 3, 2024
6
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
OrganizationTACOMA, WA
$1,000
Sep 30, 2024
7
SUQUAMISH INDIAN TRIBE
OrganizationSUQUAMISH, WA
$1,000
Sep 30, 2024
8
TOHONO O'ODHAM NATION
OrganizationSELLS, AZ
$1,000
Aug 9, 2024
9
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationDURANT, OK
$550
Oct 26, 2023
10
SEGAL, PAUL
LS POWER DEVELOPMENT, LLC β€’ CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Dec 16, 2023

Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]

ID: S001198

Top Contributors

10

1
SEND IN THE SEAL PAC
PACALEXANDRIA, VA
$45,000
Aug 9, 2024
2
THE LINCOLN CLUB OF ORANGE COUNTY FEDERAL PAC
PACNEWPORT BEACH, CA
$25,000
Oct 18, 2024
3
SEND IN THE SEAL PAC
PACALEXANDRIA, VA
$15,000
Aug 9, 2024
4
WINRED
PACARLINGTON, VA
$6,600
Oct 19, 2023
5
RON JOHNSON VICTORY
COMOSHKOSH, WI
$1,997
Sep 30, 2024
6
MACLEAN-FOGG COMPANY
OrganizationMUNDELEIN, IL
$58,700
Dec 28, 2023
7
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$41,300
Dec 29, 2023
8
MACLEAN-FOGG COMPANY
OrganizationMUNDELEIN, IL
$41,300
Dec 28, 2023
9
PASCUA YAQUI TRIBE
OrganizationTUCSON, AZ
$41,300
Dec 29, 2023
10
TIGUA INDIAN RESERVATION
OrganizationEL PASO, TX
$41,300
Dec 19, 2023

Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]

ID: B001303

Top Contributors

10

1
PHAROS CAPITAL GROUP LLC
OrganizationBRENTWOOD, TN
$3,300
Dec 15, 2023
2
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LA
OrganizationMARKSVILLE, LA
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
3
POMO BAND OF THE HABEMOTOLEL INDIANS
OrganizationUPPER LAKE, CA
$3,300
May 17, 2024
4
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationMADILL, OK
$3,300
May 30, 2024
5
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationMADILL, OK
$3,300
May 30, 2024
6
THE DANIEL INITIATIVE, LLC
OrganizationSTAFFORD, VA
$3,300
Jul 24, 2023
7
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LA
OrganizationMARKSVILLE, LA
$2,500
Sep 30, 2024
8
PHAROS CAPITAL GROUP LLC
OrganizationBRENTWOOD, TN
$2,300
Dec 15, 2023
9
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA
$2,000
Mar 31, 2024
10
1634 ASSOCIATES
OrganizationPHILADELPHIA, PA
$2,000
Sep 30, 2023

Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]

ID: B001230

Top Contributors

10

1
WISCONSIN MEDICAL SOCIETY FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (WISMEDFEDPAC)
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PACFITCHBURG, WI
$2,500
Mar 22, 2024
2
REALTORS DIRECT GIVER PROGRAM
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
COMMADISON, WI
$600
Mar 4, 2024
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMM
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$10,000
Oct 30, 2024
4
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LA
OrganizationMARKSVILLE, LA
$5,000
Nov 5, 2024
5
SALT RIVER PIMA MARICOPA INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationSCOTTSDALE, AZ
$3,300
Aug 1, 2023
6
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Sep 16, 2024
7
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE
OrganizationUPPER LAKE, CA
$3,300
Sep 25, 2024
8
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
OrganizationTEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Sep 25, 2024
9
SMITH LACIEN LLP
OrganizationCHICAGO, IL
$3,300
Aug 12, 2024
10
SMITH LACIEN LLP
OrganizationCHICAGO, IL
$3,300
Aug 12, 2024

Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

ID: M000133

Top Contributors

10

1
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 28, 2024
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jul 26, 2023
3
DONOHUE, JOHN
ARBELLA β€’ INSURANCE
IndividualBELMONT, MA
$6,600
May 20, 2024
4
MARCHAND, PAUL
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS β€’ EVP HR
IndividualMONTCLAIR, NJ
$4,200
Mar 11, 2024
5
MOUTOUDIS, ELEFTHERIA
ELEFTHERIA MOUTOUDIS β€’ SELF EMPLOYEED
IndividualSOUTHBOROUGH, MA
$3,300
Nov 1, 2024
6
MOUTOUDIS, EVANGELOS
DEKK GROUO β€’ BUSINESS OWNER
IndividualSOUTHBOROUGH, MA
$3,300
Nov 1, 2024
7
SCHMIDT, WENDY
NONE β€’ INVESTMENTS AND PHILANTHROPY
IndividualPALO ALTO, CA
$3,300
Oct 2, 2024
8
SWIG, MARY
NOT EMPLOYED β€’ NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualSAN FRANCISCO, CA
$3,300
Aug 31, 2024
9
ABRAMS, JEFFREY J.
BAD ROBOT β€’ FOUNDER
IndividualENCINO, CA
$3,300
Oct 10, 2023
10
ABRAMS, JEFFREY J.
BAD ROBOT β€’ FOUNDER
IndividualENCINO, CA
$3,300
Oct 10, 2023

Donor Network - Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

Loading...

Showing 55 nodes and 40 connections (40 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $801,560

Top Donors - Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

Showing top 21 donors by contribution amount

5 Orgs16 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 3 helped.

  • +Telecommunicationsconfidence 0.80

    SEC. 4(b)(1)(C) inserts 'and ocean' after 'weather' in subparagraph (E) clauses (iv) and (v), which expands the scope of weather observations to include ocean observations, potentially benefiting telecommunications infrastructure that relies on weather and ocean data for operations and planning.

  • SEC. 4(b)(1)(A) strikes 'national' and inserts 'regional, national,' in subsection (b)(1)(A), which may increase funding and projects for regional coastal observing systems, potentially benefiting construction and engineering firms involved in building and maintaining such systems.

  • SEC. 4(c)(2)(B)(II) inserts 'develop requirements and processes for regional associations and federally funded projects... to collaborate with the regional coastal observing systems for data sharing at regional levels' and SEC. 4(c)(3)(C)(ii) inserts ', cyber infrastructure,' after 'data management', which may increase demand for AI and cloud infrastructure to handle data management and cyber infrastructure needs.

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS])received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022–present cycles. Donations are not proof of intent β€” they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.

Industries this bill HELPS

  • from 24 contributions
    • ERGEN, CANTEY M. MRS.$6,600
    • MURRAY, KEVIN MR.$6,600
    • ERGEN, CHARLES MR.$6,600
    • WATSON, DAVE MR.$3,300
    • MURDOCK, DAN$2,500
  • from 2 contributions
    • SANKAR, SHYAM MR.$3,300
    • WANG, ALEX MR.$1,000
  • from 3 contributions
    • JANOUSH, J. PAUL MR.$1,000
    • KAUFMANN, MORRIS MR.$100

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