Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) sponsored an amendment to S. 601, the Water Resources Development Act of 2013, which would establish a National Endowment for the Oceans (NEO) to improve ocean health and support coastal economies. Following the recommendations of the bi-partisan U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy appointed by President George W. Bush, the NEO would support efforts to conserve and restore ocean resources through grants to states, regional and tribal entities, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions. It would also help ensure the sustainable management of our oceans through increased research, monitoring, and observation data. On May 8, the Senate approved the Whitehouse amendment by a vote of 67-32 (roll call vote 116). YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. As of this writing, the Whitehouse amendment is under consideration as part of the Water Resources Development Act conference committee.