To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the Department of Defense to support the Ocean for Life Program of the National Marine Sanctuaries under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including covering the cost of participants in the Ocean for Life Program.

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 22, 2009

Authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD), including combatant commands and Regional Centers, to: (1) provide material and personnel support to assist in the planning and execution of the Ocean for Life Program of the National Marine Sanctuaries under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); and (2) pay all or a portion of the costs for citizens of the United States and foreign nationals to participate in the Program. Allows amounts available to the Regional Centers from the DOD "Voice" programs to be used to make those payments.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-9] · R–FL

Committees

Armed Services Committee

6 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.

Jul 22, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Jul 22, 2009
Introduced in House
Jul 22, 2009
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 · Jul 22, 2009 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

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

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.3294 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3294, 111th Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the Department of Defense to support the Ocean for Life Program of the National Marine Sanctuaries under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including covering the cost of participants in the Ocean for Life Program.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/3294

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-07-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr3294/BILLS-111hr3294ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:40Z. 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.3294 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.3294 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.3294, 111th Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the Department of Defense to support the Ocean for Life Program of the National Marine Sanctuaries under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including covering the cost of participants in the Ocean for Life Program.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/3294

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-07-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr3294/BILLS-111hr3294ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:40Z. 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.3294 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.3294 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.3294, 111th Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the Department of Defense to support the Ocean for Life Program of the National Marine Sanctuaries under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including covering the cost of participants in the Ocean for Life Program.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/3294

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-07-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr3294/BILLS-111hr3294ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:40Z. 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.3294 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.3294 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.3294, 111th Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the Department of Defense to support the Ocean for Life Program of the National Marine Sanctuaries under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including covering the cost of participants in the Ocean for Life Program.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/3294

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-07-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr3294/BILLS-111hr3294ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:40Z. 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.3294 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.