National Security and Climate Change Proposals from the 110th Congress

H. Amdt. 174: An amendment to H.R. 2082 [1] to strike the provision requiring that a National Intelligence Estimate on global climate change be submitted to Congress. Sponsor: Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-MI) - Action: 5/11/07: the amendment failed by a vote of 185-230.

H.R. 1961: [2] Global Climate Change Security Oversight Act. This bill requires the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to prepare a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on the anticipated geopolitical effects of global climate change and the implications of such effects on the national security of the United States. Not later than 270 days after the DNI submits the required NIE, the bill directs the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress a report on the projected effects of global climate change on the military installations and capabilities, and military operations of the United States as assessed by the NIE. In addition, the bill expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense should address the climate change-related findings of the NIE as they relate to the armed forces in the next Quadrennial Defense Review. The bill also directs the Secretary of State to, not later than 270 days after the submittal of the NIE, to submit to Congress a report that addresses the potential for large migration flows in countries of strategic interest or humanitarian concern as a response to changes in climate and the implications for United States security interests; and the potential for diplomatic opportunities and challenges facing the United States as a result of social, economic, or political responses of groups or nations to climate change. Finally, the bill authorizes the Secretary of Defense to carry out research on the impacts of global climate change on the military, including war gaming and other simulations, and analysis of potential impacts of large-scale Arctic sea-ice melt, and severe weather events. Sponsor: Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) (10 cosponsors)

H.R. 2082: [1] Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. Section 407 of this bill would require the Director of National Intelligence to prepare a National Intelligence Estimate on the anticipated geopolitical effects of global climate change and the implications of such effects on the national security of the United States. Sponsor: Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) - Action: 5/11/07: Passed the House by a vote of 225-197.

S. 1018: [3] Global Climate Change Security Oversight Act. The Act would “address security risks posed by global climate change,” by requiring that, not more than 270 days after the bill’s enactment, that the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) submit to Congress a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on the “anticipated geopolitical effects of global climate change and the implications of such effects on the national security of the United States.” The bill directs the DNI to use the mid-range projections of the fourth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in preparing the NIE. Sponsor: Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) (8 cosponsors)