S.2031 / 103rd Congress

Merchant Marine Academy Reform Act of 1994

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Apr 19, 1994

Merchant Marine Academy Reform Act of 1994 - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to prohibit any tuition or charge for room or board from being imposed in connection with attendance at the Merchant Marine Academy (other than for items or services for which charges are already imposed). Expresses the sense of the Senate that no charges or fees should be imposed for attendance at the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, or the United States Coast Guard Academy.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. D'Amato, Alfonse [R-NY] · R–NY

Committees

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

9 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.

Apr 19, 1994
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Apr 19, 1994
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4476-4477)
Apr 19, 1994
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 · Apr 19, 1994 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.2031 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.2031, 103rd Congress: Merchant Marine Academy Reform Act of 1994

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/2031

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1994-04-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s2031/BILLS-103s2031is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:37Z. 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.2031 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.2031 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.2031, 103rd Congress: Merchant Marine Academy Reform Act of 1994

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/2031

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1994-04-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s2031/BILLS-103s2031is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:37Z. 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.2031 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.2031 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.2031, 103rd Congress: Merchant Marine Academy Reform Act of 1994

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/2031

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1994-04-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s2031/BILLS-103s2031is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:37Z. 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.2031 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.2031 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.2031, 103rd Congress: Merchant Marine Academy Reform Act of 1994

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/2031

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1994-04-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s2031/BILLS-103s2031is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:37Z. 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.2031 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.