POLAR-C Act

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

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Sep 22, 2011

Preserve Our Large Arctic Response Capability Act or POLAR-C Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should maintain domestic heavy and medium duty icebreaker assets to meet U.S. Coast Guard (CG) statutory requirements and priorities for maritime transportation; and (2) maintaining less than a sufficient number of such assets jeopardizes national security, law enforcement, maritime safety, environmental protection, disaster response, scientific research, and natural resource protection in the polar regions and Alaska.

Directs the CG Commandant to submit to Congress its polar icebreaker business case analysis for replacing or performing service life extensions on the CG's 2 heavy polar icebreakers: (1) Cutter POLAR SEA (WAGB 11), and (2) Cutter POLAR STAR (WAGB 10). Prohibits the CG Commandant and the Administrator of the Maritime Administration from disposing or taking any other specified action with respect to such icebreakers until 2 years after such submission.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Begich, Mark [D-AK] · D–AK

Committees

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Sep 22, 2011
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Sep 22, 2011
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Introduced in Senate · Sep 22, 2011 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 3113 · Polar Protection Act

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

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Discuss S.1620, 112th Congress: POLAR-C Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/1620

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2011-09-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s1620/BILLS-112s1620is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:09:00Z. 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.1620 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.1620, 112th Congress: POLAR-C Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/1620

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2011-09-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s1620/BILLS-112s1620is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:09:00Z. 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.

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Examine S.1620 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.1620, 112th Congress: POLAR-C Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/1620

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2011-09-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s1620/BILLS-112s1620is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:09:00Z. 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.1620 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.1620, 112th Congress: POLAR-C Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/1620

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2011-09-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s1620/BILLS-112s1620is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:09:00Z. 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.1620 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.