Federal Maritime Commission Authorization Act of 2003

Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jun 11, 2003

Federal Maritime Commission Authorization Act of 2003 - Authorizes appropriations to the Federal Maritime Commission for FY 2004 and 2005.

Amends the Reorganization Plan No. 7 of 1961 to require the President's appointment of the Commission Chairman to be by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Directs the Commission to report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the status of any agreements, or ongoing discussions with, other Federal, State, or local government agencies concerning the sharing of ocean shipping information for the purpose of assisting law enforcement or anti-terrorism efforts; and (2) how the Commission and other Federal agencies could better utilize the Commission's ocean shipping information to improve port security.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ] · R–AZ

Committees

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

3 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.

Oct 1, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Sep 30, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Sep 30, 2003
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Sep 30, 2003
Received in the House.
Sep 25, 2003
Passed Senate with amendments and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S12023-12024; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S12023; text as passed Senate: CR S12024)
Sep 25, 2003
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S12023-12024; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S12023; text as passed Senate: CR S12024)
Jul 31, 2003
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 245.
Jul 31, 2003
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator McCain with amendments and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 108-120.
Jul 31, 2003
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator McCain with amendments and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 108-120.
Jun 19, 2003
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
Jun 11, 2003
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jun 11, 2003
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7730)
Jun 11, 2003
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Referred in House · Sep 30, 2003 Formatted Text PDF
Engrossed in Senate · Sep 25, 2003 Formatted Text PDF
Reported to Senate · Jul 31, 2003 Formatted Text PDF
Introduced in Senate · Jun 11, 2003 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: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze S.1244 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 S.1244, 108th Congress: Federal Maritime Commission Authorization Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/1244

Text version to examine: Referred in House · 2003-09-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/s1244/BILLS-108s1244rfh.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:03:40Z. 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 S.1244 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 S.1244 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.

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Discuss S.1244, 108th Congress: Federal Maritime Commission Authorization Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/1244

Text version to examine: Referred in House · 2003-09-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/s1244/BILLS-108s1244rfh.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:03:40Z. 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 S.1244 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 S.1244 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.

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Discuss S.1244, 108th Congress: Federal Maritime Commission Authorization Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/1244

Text version to examine: Referred in House · 2003-09-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/s1244/BILLS-108s1244rfh.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:03:40Z. 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 S.1244 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 S.1244 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 S.1244, 108th Congress: Federal Maritime Commission Authorization Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/1244

Text version to examine: Referred in House · 2003-09-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/s1244/BILLS-108s1244rfh.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:03:40Z. 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 S.1244 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.