WASHINGTON, DC – Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Chairman of the Environment & Public Works Committee, held a full Committee oversight hearing today on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“I believe it is critically important for Senators to be fully aware of any potentially negative impacts this Convention could have on our nation and it is our obligation to ensure that it is consistent with protecting human health, the environment, and does not adversely affect the sovereignty of the United States,” Sen. Inhofe said. “I am pleased that today for the first time that both proponents and opponents of the Law of the Sea Convention were given equal time to address these issues and hope that the Senate slows down and takes a critical evaluation of this Convention since it is now pending on the Senate calendar.”

The Convention represents an international agreement of party nations to comply with mandatory rules related to the navigation of the seas, the use of marine resources, and the protection of the marine environment.