PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.4056 / 108th Congress

Commercial Aviation MANPADS Defense Act of 2004

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Official summary

Version 36 · Passed House amended · Jul 22, 2004

Commercial Aviation MANPADS Defense Act of 2004 - (Sec. 3) Directs the President to pursue, on an urgent basis, further strong international diplomatic and cooperative efforts (including bilateral and multilateral treaties) in the appropriate forum to limit the availability, transfer, and proliferation of man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) worldwide. Urges the President to continue to pursue similar efforts to assure the destruction of excess, obsolete, and illicit stocks of MANPADS worldwide.

Urges the President to enter into agreements with the governments of foreign countries that, at a minimum, would prohibit: (1) the entry into force of a MANPADS manufacturing license agreement and MANPADS co-production agreement (other than a manufacturing license or co-production agreement with a country party to such an agreement); (2) the export of a MANPADS, including any component, part, accessory, or attachment thereof, without an individual validated license, except pursuant to transfers between governments; and (3) the re-export or retransfer of a MANPADS (or any component, part, accessory, or attachment) to a third person, organization, or government unless the written consent of the government that approved the original export or transfer is first obtained.

Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the status of such diplomatic efforts and of efforts by the appropriate U.S. agencies to comply with the recommendations of the General Accounting Office report GAO-04-519, entitled "Non-proliferation: Further Improvements Needed in U.S. Efforts to Counter Threats from MANPADS."

Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.

Read full official summaryShow less

(Sec. 4) Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as soon as practicable, but not later than, the completion date of Phase II of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) counter-MANPADS development and demonstration program, to establish a process for conducting airworthiness and safety certification of missile defense systems used to defend commercial aircraft against MANPADS. Directs the FAA, not later than 90 days after the first airworthiness and safety certification for a missile defense system for commercial aircraft is issued by the Administrator, and annually thereafter until December 31, 2008, to report to specified congressional committees on each airworthiness and safety certification issued for such defense system for a commercial aircraft.

(Sec. 5) Urges the President to pursue strong programs to reduce the number of MANPADS worldwide. Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the status of such programs.

Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to report to specified congressional committees on DHS plans to secure airports and the aircraft arriving and departing from airports against MANPADS attacks.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. Mica, John L. [R-FL-7] · R–FL

Committees

  • Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  • Foreign Affairs Committee
  • Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
4 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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

  1. Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

  2. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 423 - 0 (Roll no. 411). (text: CR 7/21/2004 H6503-6504)

    House roll call 411 · Individual votes
  3. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  4. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 423 - 0 (Roll no. 411).(text: CR 7/21/2004 H6503-6504)

    House roll call 411 · Individual votes
  5. Considered as unfinished business. (CR H6613)

  6. At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  7. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4056.

  8. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6503-6508)

  9. Mr. Mica moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  10. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 330.

  11. Committee on International Relations discharged.

  12. Committee on International Relations discharged.

  13. House Committee on International Relations Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than June 23, 2004.

  14. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 108-565, Part I.

  15. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 108-565, Part I.

  16. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  17. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  18. Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

  19. Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  20. Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

  21. Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  22. Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  23. Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  24. Introduced in House

  25. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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

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: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4056 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
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4056 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
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4056 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
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4056 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