Rep. Bera Introduces Bipartisan MARITIME Act to Protect Island Nations Facing Rising Seas

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA-06), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, and James Moylan (R-GU) introduced the bipartisan Maintaining Area Rights and Integrity Through International Maritime Enforcement (MARITIME) Act to affirm the United States’ commitment to addressing the global threat of sea level rise and protecting the maritime sovereignty of island nations.

As sea levels continue to rise, low-lying countries in the Pacific and beyond face existential threats—not only to their coastlines and economies, but to their very statehood and international recognition. The MARITIME Act directs the U.S. Department of State to report to Congress on how the United States is advancing policies to protect statehood and maritime zones in the face of rising seas.

“Sea level rise is not a distant threat—it’s a present-day crisis, especially for our friends and partners in the Pacific Islands and other atoll nations who are losing habitable territory,” said Representative Bera. “The MARITIME Act sends a clear message that the United States stands with these nations and helps ensure that rising seas do not undermine sovereign countries’ maritime entitlements or statehood. Having traveled to several island nations and territories, I’ve seen firsthand how rising sea levels are impacting communities and economies. Preserving their maritime rights is a practical and strategic priority that supports stability and long-term regional resilience.”

Representative Moylan, who represents Guam—a U.S. territory already experiencing the direct impacts of sea level rise—underscored the urgency of the bill’s goals:

“I am honored to be leading the bipartisan MARITIME Act with Congressman Ami Bera, a necessary first step in addressing the environmental challenges faced by our friends in Pacific Island countries. As its Delegate, I know that Guam is also submerging because of sea level rise,” stated Congressman Moylan. “I fully understand the fear of rising sea levels and how that affects nations and peoples. This bill would codify the United States’ commitment to addressing sea level rise and promoting similar initiatives at the international level. I’m a fan of snorkeling at our beaches but I certainly wouldn’t want to do so in my front yard or inside my house!”

The MARITIME Act directs the State Department to:

• Reaffirm that sea level rise should not cause a country to lose its statehood or maritime entitlements;
   
• Support the efforts of the Pacific Islands Forum and the Alliance of Small Island States to determine and preserve maritime boundaries in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea;
   
• Encourage countries to adopt and formalize similar policies on the issue of statehood and the preservation of maritime zones;
   
• And submit a detailed report to Congress on U.S. diplomatic efforts to advance these policies globally.

This legislation reflects America’s enduring commitment to small island states and reinforces U.S. leadership in confronting the global consequences of climate change.

Read the full bill text here.