Congress is currently considering H. Con. Res. 350/S. Con. Res. 86, resolutions which state that the U.S. "should use all appropriate measures to end commercial whaling in all of its forms"—including so-called scientific whaling—and "seek to strengthen the conservation and management measures" to help protect whale species.

These resolutions make clear that Americans will not tolerate the use of loopholes by nations such as Japan, Iceland and Norway to continue commercial whaling despite a moratorium on whaling implemented by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1986.

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There is concern that at this year’s upcoming IWC meeting, certain member nations—including the United States—may try to cut a deal with Japan and others in order to reach a compromise. If this happens, it will open the door to a resumption of commercial whaling, which is both unsustainable and inhumane.