Port Security Boots on the Ground Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 17, 2012

Port Security Boots on the Ground Act - Authorizes the use of port security grant program funds for overtime and backfill costs for mandated Coast Guard security personnel, except that not more than 50% of funds received by a grantee for a fiscal year may be used for such costs.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Richardson, Laura [D-CA-37] · D–CA

Committees

Homeland Security Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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May 24, 2012
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
May 17, 2012
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
May 17, 2012
Introduced in House
May 17, 2012
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 · May 17, 2012 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 4251 · SMART Port Security Act

Source last updated: Aug 14, 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.5803 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.5803, 112th Congress: Port Security Boots on the Ground Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/5803

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2012-05-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr5803/BILLS-112hr5803ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T14:21:33Z. 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.5803 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.5803 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.5803, 112th Congress: Port Security Boots on the Ground Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/5803

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2012-05-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr5803/BILLS-112hr5803ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T14:21:33Z. 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.5803 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.5803 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.5803, 112th Congress: Port Security Boots on the Ground Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/5803

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2012-05-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr5803/BILLS-112hr5803ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T14:21:33Z. 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.5803 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.5803 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.5803, 112th Congress: Port Security Boots on the Ground Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/5803

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2012-05-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr5803/BILLS-112hr5803ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T14:21:33Z. 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.5803 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.