To reduce the number of Trident ballistic missile submarines subject to a statutory limitation on retirement or dismantlement of strategic nuclear delivery systems and to provide that any funds saved by retiring such submarines should be used for national missile defense programs.

Unfavorable Executive Comment Received from DOD.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 3, 1999

Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 to reduce from 18 to 14 the number of Trident ballistic missile submarines subject to statutory limitation on retirement or dismantlement. Expresses the sense of the Congress that, if the Secretary of the Navy should reduce the number of such operational submarines from the current 18 to 14, the amount otherwise programmed for national missile defense programs for any fiscal year after such reduction should be increased by the savings derived from such reduction.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Foley, Mark [R-FL-16] · R–FL

Committees

Armed Services Committee

4 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 19, 1999
Unfavorable Executive Comment Received from DOD.
Feb 23, 1999
Executive Comment Requested from DOD.
Feb 3, 1999
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Feb 3, 1999
Introduced in House
Feb 3, 1999
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 · Feb 3, 1999 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: Jun 6, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.542 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.542, 106th Congress: To reduce the number of Trident ballistic missile submarines subject to a statutory limitation on retirement or dismantlement of strategic nuclear delivery systems and to provide that any funds saved by retiring such submarines should be used for national missile defense programs.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/542

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1999-02-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hr542/BILLS-106hr542ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:58Z. 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.542 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.542 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.542, 106th Congress: To reduce the number of Trident ballistic missile submarines subject to a statutory limitation on retirement or dismantlement of strategic nuclear delivery systems and to provide that any funds saved by retiring such submarines should be used for national missile defense programs.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/542

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1999-02-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hr542/BILLS-106hr542ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:58Z. 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.542 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.542 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.542, 106th Congress: To reduce the number of Trident ballistic missile submarines subject to a statutory limitation on retirement or dismantlement of strategic nuclear delivery systems and to provide that any funds saved by retiring such submarines should be used for national missile defense programs.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/542

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1999-02-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hr542/BILLS-106hr542ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:58Z. 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.542 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.542 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.542, 106th Congress: To reduce the number of Trident ballistic missile submarines subject to a statutory limitation on retirement or dismantlement of strategic nuclear delivery systems and to provide that any funds saved by retiring such submarines should be used for national missile defense programs.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/542

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1999-02-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hr542/BILLS-106hr542ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:58Z. 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.542 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.