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H.R.672 / 111th Congress

Military Environmental Responsibility Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 26, 2009

Military Environmental Responsibility Act - Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) and defense-related agencies (the Department of Energy [DOE], the Nuclear Regulatory Commission [NRC], the Office of Naval Nuclear Reactors, and any others as designated by the President) to fully comply with designated federal and state environmental laws, including those related to public health and safety, to the same extent as any other entities subject to such laws. Waives any immunity of the United States with respect to such laws as applied to DOD and any defense-related agency. Provides for administrative enforcement actions. Requires the Secretary of Defense, for each weapon system for which congressional budget justification is required, to ensure that all development and procurement decisions comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Repeals: (1) a federal provision prohibiting the use of certain military appropriation accounts for the payment of fines and penalties for environmental noncompliance; and (2) a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 which prohibits the use of defense funds to conduct treatment, storage, or disposal activities at sites designated under the Formerly Utilized Site Remedial Action Program.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Filner, Bob [D-CA-51] · D–CA

Committees

  • Armed Services Committee
  • Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  • Energy and Commerce Committee
  • Education and Workforce Committee
  • Natural Resources Committee
6 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.

  2. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E159)

  3. Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.

  4. Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

  5. Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

  6. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  7. Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.

  8. Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

  9. Referred to House Education and Labor

  10. Referred to House Natural Resources

  11. Referred to House Transportation and Infrastructure

  12. Referred to House Energy and Commerce

  13. Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Transportation and Infrastructure, Natural Resources, and Education and Labor, 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.

  14. Referred to House Armed Services

  15. Introduced in House

  16. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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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: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.672 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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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.672 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.

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