Maritime Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996

Ordered to be Reported (Amended).

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 29, 1995

Maritime Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Transportation for FY 1996 for: (1) the operating-differential subsidy; (2) operating agreements for vessels enrolled in the Maritime Security Program; (3) operations and training activities; and (4) the costs of guaranteed loans authorized by the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as well as for administrative expenses related to loan guarantee commitments. Amends: (1) the Merchant Ship Sales Act of 1946 to require the Secretary of Transportation to consult with the Secretary of Defense (currently, Secretary of the Navy) regarding the National Defense Reserve Fleet and to repeal certain restrictions on requiring bids, payments, performance, or completion bonds from contractors with respect to repair or maintenance of Fleet vessels; and (2) the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to extend war risk insurance authority. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to submit to the Congress a report on the condition of public ports of the United States each even-numbered (currently, each) year.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Spence, Floyd [R-SC-2] · R–SC

Committees

Armed Services Committee

3 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

May 24, 1995
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
May 24, 1995
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 29, 1995
Referred to the House Committee on National Security.
Mar 29, 1995
Introduced in House
Mar 29, 1995
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Mar 29, 1995 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.1347 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.1347, 104th Congress: Maritime Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/1347

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1995-03-29.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr1347/BILLS-104hr1347ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T20:14:49Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.1347 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.1347 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1347, 104th Congress: Maritime Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/1347

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1995-03-29.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr1347/BILLS-104hr1347ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T20:14:49Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1347 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.1347 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1347, 104th Congress: Maritime Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/1347

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1995-03-29.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr1347/BILLS-104hr1347ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T20:14:49Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1347 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.1347 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1347, 104th Congress: Maritime Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/1347

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1995-03-29.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr1347/BILLS-104hr1347ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T20:14:49Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1347 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.