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H.R.1880 / 103rd Congress

Defense Workers Economic Reinvestment Act of 1993

Executive Comment Received from Justice.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 28, 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Defense Procurement Specifications Title II: Retraining Defense Workers for New Employment Title III: Commercialization and Dual-Use Research Opportunities for Defense Contractors and Small Business Title IV: Fast Response State Technological Competitiveness Grants Defense Workers Economic Reinvestment Act of 1993 - Title I: Defense Procurement Specifications - Directs the Secretary of Defense to examine and report to the Congress on all existing Department of Defense (DOD) procurement contracts to determine whether those which apply to dual-use technologies (having both military and commercial applications) contain overly restrictive specifications on systems, supplies, and services that are also available commercially. Requires defense procurement specifications to encourage the use of commercially available systems, supplies, and services. Title II: Retraining Defense Workers for New Employment - Directs the Secretary to establish an Office of Training Oversight and Administration to coordinate and oversee retraining, placement, and other transition assistance for former employees of qualified defense contractors or former civilian DOD employees. Directs the Office to disseminate retraining and placement assistance information. Authorizes the Office to: (1) carry out a skills development program for retraining eligible defense workers in skills determined to be in short supply; and (2) award one- and two-year scholarships to assist such eligible defense workers to attend educational institutions. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Commercialization and Dual-Use Research Opportunities for Defense Contractors and Small Business - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program to assist qualified defense contractors to participate in the Advanced Technology Program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology and other appropriate programs of the Department of Commerce to commercialize significant new scientific discoveries and technologies. Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Energy to encourage research proposals involving dual-use applications and proposals involving military to civilian conversion. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make loans to qualified defense contractors to carry out commercialization projects. Directs the Secretary of Defense to: (1) encourage the creation of industrial parks or technology incubator centers to transfer technology from defense contractors to small businesses; and (2) create and administer an awards program for redirection efforts by qualified defense contractors in the area of commercialization. Title IV: Fast Response State Technological Competitiveness Grants - Provides Federal grants to States for defense reinvestment programs which stress economic development, quality job growth, education and retraining, technology transfer and infrastructure, and enhanced competitiveness. Authorizes appropriations.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Bacchus, Jim [D-FL-15] · D–FL

Committees

  • Small Business Committee
  • Financial Services Committee
  • Energy and Commerce Committee
  • Education and Workforce Committee
  • Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  • Armed Services Committee
4 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Executive Comment Received from Justice.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on SBA Legislation and the General Economy.

  3. Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Growth and Credit Formation.

  4. Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Competitiveness.

  5. Referred to the Subcommittee on Labor-Management Relations.

  6. Referred to the Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education and Training.

  7. Executive Comment Requested from DOD.

  8. Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Technology.

  9. Referred to the Subcommittee on Technology, Environment and Aviation.

  10. Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.

  11. Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

  12. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

  13. Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

  14. Referred to the House Committee on Banking, Finance + Urban Affrs.

  15. Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

  16. Introduced in House

  17. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Mar 23, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.1880 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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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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