To improve Department of Defense policies relating to body armor.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 19, 2009

Directs the Secretary of Defense, with respect to the defense budget for FY2011 and thereafter, to ensure that within the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) account for each military department, a separate, dedicated program element is assigned to: (1) the RDT&E of body armor; and (2) the procurement of body armor.

Requires the Secretary to ensure that, from amounts authorized for RDT&E, necessary sums are available for: (1) research and development of lighter body armor while maintaining equivalent level of threat protection to the improved outer tactical vest and enhanced small arms protective inserts; and (2) the creation of a task force to carry out the RDT&E of lighter body armor.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Tsongas, Niki [D-MA-5] · D–MA

Committees

Armed Services Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Jun 8, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces.
May 19, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
May 19, 2009
Introduced in House
May 19, 2009
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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Introduced in House · May 19, 2009 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Jun 6, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.2473 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.2473, 111th Congress: To improve Department of Defense policies relating to body armor.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/2473

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-05-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr2473/BILLS-111hr2473ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:38Z. 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.2473 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.2473 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.2473, 111th Congress: To improve Department of Defense policies relating to body armor.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/2473

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-05-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr2473/BILLS-111hr2473ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:38Z. 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.2473 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

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Examine H.R.2473 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.2473, 111th Congress: To improve Department of Defense policies relating to body armor.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/2473

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-05-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr2473/BILLS-111hr2473ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:38Z. 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.2473 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

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Examine H.R.2473 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.2473, 111th Congress: To improve Department of Defense policies relating to body armor.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/2473

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-05-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr2473/BILLS-111hr2473ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:38Z. 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.2473 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.