Sustainable Missions Act – Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy

AN ACT

To amend the missions of Federal agencies, making them sustainable missions, and for other purposes

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

(a) SHORT TITLE.— This Act may be cited as the “Sustainable Missions Act.”

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

(a) In this Act—

(1) The term “Act” means the “Sustainable Missions Act.”

(2) The term “Agency” means any executive department, military department, Government corporation, Government-controlled corporation, or other establishment in the executive branch of the Government (including the Executive Office of the President), or any independent regulatory agency;

(3) The term “Agency Director” means the person having administrative responsibility for the operation of the agency;

(4) The term “Sustainable Economy” or “Steady State Economy” means an economy with a stabilized or mildly fluctuating population and per capita consumption, as indicated by stabilized or mildly fluctuating GDP, at a size within the regenerative and assimilative capacities of the ecosystem;

(5) The term “Natural Capital” means the living and non-living components of the environment, in a state of ecological integrity, that may provide benefits to humanity; and

(6) The term “Sustainable Economic Activity” means economic activity that meets the needs of the present without impairing the natural capital needed for future generations to meet their own needs.

SEC. 3. DEPARTMENTAL MISSION AMENDMENTS.

(a) DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.— The mission of the Department of Commerce is amended to read—

“The mission of the U.S. Department of Commerce is to create the conditions for sustainable economic activity and opportunity for all communities by driving U.S. economic competitiveness, strengthening domestic industry, and promoting quality employment in all communities across the country.”

(b) DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.— The mission of the Department of Housing and Urban Development is amended to read—

“The mission of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.”

“The mission of the U.S. Department of the Interior is to protect and sustainably manage the Nation’s natural and cultural resources; provide scientific and other information about these resources; and honor its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated Island Communities.”

(d) DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.—The mission of the Department of Labor is amended to read—

“The mission of the U.S. Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the sustainable welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable and sustainable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.”

(e) DEPARTMENT OF STATE.— The mission of the Department of State is amended to read—

“The mission of the U.S. Department of State is to protect and promote U.S. security, sustainable economic activity, principles of steady-state economics in international diplomacy, democratic values, and to shape an international environment in which all Americans can thrive alongside citizens of all nations.”

(f) DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.— The mission of the Department of Transportation is amended to read—

“The mission of the U.S. Department of Transportation is to create the conditions for provision of safe, efficient, sustainable, and equitable movement of people and goods.”

(g) DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY.— The mission of the Department of the Treasury is amended to read—

“The mission of the U.S. Department of the Treasury is to maintain a stable, steady state economy while creating sustainable economic and job opportunities; strengthen national security by protecting the stability of the financial system; and manage the U.S. Government’s finances efficiently.”

(h) DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY.— The mission of the Department of Energy is amended to read—

“The mission of the U.S. Department of Energy is to ensure America’s security by addressing its energy needs in a manner consistent with a steady state economy.”

SEC. 4. INDEPENDENT FEDERAL AGENCY MISSIONS.

(a) BUREAU OF ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS.— The mission of the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs is amended to read—

“The mission of the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs is to promote a strong and sustainable American economy by leveling the playing field for American companies doing business in global markets.”

(b) BUREAU OF ENERGY RESOURCES.— The mission of the Bureau of Energy Resources is amended to read—

“The mission of the Bureau of Energy Resources is to develop and execute international energy policy through diplomatic and programmatic engagements that promote a sustainable future, energy security for the United States and our allies and partners, and economic stability through sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy access.”

“The mission of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is to manage the development of U.S. Outer Continental Shelf energy and mineral resources in an environmentally and economically sustainable way.”

(d) BUREAU OF RECLAMATION.— The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is amended to read—

“The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner.”

(e) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION.— The mission of the Economic Development Administration is amended to read—

“The mission of the Economic Development Administration is to promote sustainable and equitable economic activity in all of America’s communities, consistent with the maintenance of a national steady state economy.”

(f) ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.— The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is amended to read—

“The mission of EPA is to protect human health and the environment fairly and effectively, providing crucial environmental insights to the maintenance of a steady state economy.”

(g) FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION.— The mission of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is amended to read—

“The mission of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is to assist consumers in obtaining reliable, safe, environmentally sustainable, and economically efficient energy services at a reasonable cost through appropriate regulatory and market means and collaborative efforts.”

(h) FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION.— The mission of the Federal Maritime Commission is amended to read—

“The mission of the Federal Maritime Commission is to ensure a competitive and reliable international ocean transportation supply system conducive to maintaining a U.S. steady state economy while protecting the public from unfair and deceptive practices.”

(i) FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD.— The mission of the Federal Reserve Board is amended to read—

“The mission of the Federal Reserve Board is to assist in the maintenance of a steady state economy by ensuring financial stability and stable prices.”

(j) FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION.— The mission of the Federal Trade Commission is amended to read—

“The mission of the Federal Trade Commission is to prevent business practices that are anticompetitive, unsustainable, or deceptive or unfair to consumers; enhance informed consumer choice and public understanding of the competitive process; and accomplish these goals in the context of a steady state economy.”

(k) INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION.— The mission of the International Development Finance Corporation is amended to read—

“The mission of the International Development Finance Corporation is to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world today, congruent with the maintenance of a steady state economy.”

(l) INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION.— The mission of the International Trade Administration is amended to read—

“The mission of the International Trade Administration is to assist with the maintenance of a U.S. steady state economy by ensuring the international stability of American industry and ensuring fair trade and compliance with trade laws and agreements.”

(m) NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE.— The mission of the National Ocean Service is amended to read—

“The mission of the National Ocean Service is to provide data, tools, and services that sustainably support coastal economies and their contribution to the national steady state economy.”

(n) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION.— The mission of the National Science Foundation is amended to read—

“The mission of the National Science Foundation is to promote the progress of science in a manner conducive to national health, welfare, and the maintenance of a national steady state economy.”

(o) NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.— The mission of the National Weather Service is amended to read—

“The mission of the National Weather Service is to provide weather, water and climate data, forecasts, warnings, and impact-based decision support services for the protection of life and property and the sustainable development of the national economy.”

(p) OFFICE OF FOSSIL ENERGY AND CARBON MANAGEMENT.— The mission of the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management is amended to read—

“The mission of the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management is to support the sustainable economic transition of communities impacted by the legacy of fossil fuel use.”

(q) SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.— The mission of the Small Business Administration is amended to read—

“The mission of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is to help Americans start, grow, and build resilient and sustainable businesses in the context of a national steady state economy, and to close or transform unsustainable businesses when appropriate.”

(r) UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.— The mission of the United States Agency for International Development is amended to read—

“The mission of the United States Agency for International Development is to promote and demonstrate democratic values abroad, and advance a free, peaceful, and sustainable world congruent with the principles of steady-state economics.”

(s) UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.— The mission of the United States Army Corps of Engineers is amended to read—

“The mission of the United States Army Corps of Engineers is to deliver vital engineering solutions in collaboration with our partners, secure our Nation, sustainably maintain our economy, protect and regenerate natural capital, and reduce disaster risk.”

(t) UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.— The mission of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission is amended to read—

“The mission of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission is to protect investors; maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets; and facilitate sustainable capital formation congruent with the maintenance of a steady state economy.”

SEC. 5. PROGRAMMATIC AND POLICY ALIGNMENT.

(a) PROGRAMMATIC ALIGNMENT.— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, all Agency Directors shall review and replace any sub-departmental programmatic mission statement that does not align with the findings and declarations of this Act.

(b) POLICY ALIGNMENT.— Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, all Agency Directors shall review and replace any policy or regulation that does not align with the findings and declarations of this Act.