Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 402.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 27, 2003
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2003 - Authorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard for FY 2004.Amends Federal law to permit the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating (Secretary) to provide bonuses to enlisted members who complete training in a critical skill.Increases the limits to the number of active duty commissioned officers (except commissioned warrant officers) and the percentages of commanders and lieutenant commanders on the active duty promotion list. States that in time of war or national emergency the Secretary shall establish the total number of active duty commissioned officers (excluding commissioned warrant officers).Authorizes the Secretary to make direct loans to eligible entities for the acquisition or construction of military housing units.Authorizes the Coast Guard Auxiliary to exercise dominion over personal property, subject to the Commandant's approval.Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act to permit the Secretary to cooperate with a public or private entity for Marine vessel traffic services.Amends Federal law to revise suspension criteria, and the bases for suspension and revocation of a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner's document.Increases civil penalties for violations of bridge statutes and failure to comply with established safety standards.Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to increase the amount of funds available to the President for the removal of a discharge of oil or a hazardous substance.Amends Federal law to authorize members of the Coast Guard, subject to guidelines approved by the Secretary and the Attorney General, to carry firearms, make arrests, and seize property.Amends the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000 to require the Secretary oversee the conveyances of lighthouses.Authorizes appropriations for capital expenses related to Loran-C navigation infrastructure.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 402.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator McCain with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-202.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator McCain with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-202.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4523-4525)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4522-4523)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Bill text & related measures
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Explore the bill from different angles
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Neutral evidence review
Objective
Analyze S.733 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.
View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact
Progressive lens
Examine S.733 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
Institutions and government scope
Conservative lens
Examine S.733 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
Individual rights and government power
Liberty lens
Examine S.733 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.