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HR 44 102th Congress House

Merchant Mariners Fairness Act of 1991

Official title: To provide that certain service of members of the United States merchant marine during World War II constituted active military service for purposes of any law… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To provide that certain service of members of the United States merchant marine during World War II constituted active military service for purposes of any law administered by the Veterans Administration and to provide for the fair implementation of the cargo preference laws of the United States.

Introduced: June 22, 1992 See on congress.gov
Transportation and Public Works Administrative feesArmed Forces and National SecurityCargo preferenceMarine transportation
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Merchant marineMerchant seamenMilitary dischargesVeterans' benefitsWorld War II
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This bill died when the 102nd Congress ended
It never became law before the 102nd Congress (1991–1992) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 14 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 1, 1992
Referred to the Subcommittee on Compensation, Pension and Insurance.
Oct 1, 1992
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Sep 19, 1991
Executive Comment Received from Veterans' Affairs.
Jul 22, 1991
Executive Comment Received from DOD.
Jun 24, 1991
Executive Comment Requested from DOD, Veterans' Affairs.
Jun 11, 1991
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. H. Rept. 102-105, Part I.
May 2, 1991
Subcommittee On Merchant Marine Discharged.
May 2, 1991
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 2, 1991
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
Feb 6, 1991
Referred to the Subcommittee On Merchant Marine.
Feb 6, 1991
Executive Comment Requested from DOD, DOT, Veterans' Affairs.
Jan 3, 1991
Introduced in House
Jan 3, 1991
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jan 3, 1991
Referred to the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.
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 Latest action October 1, 1992

Referred to the Subcommittee on Compensation, Pension and Insurance.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Merchant Mariners Fairness Act of 1991 - Provides that certain qualified service of a member of the U.S. merchant marine, including a vessel crewmember of the U.S. Army Transport Service, during World War II constituted active military service for purposes of eligibility for various veterans' benefits under the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977. Requires the Secretary of Defense to issue an honorable discharge under such Act to each merchant marine member whose qualified service warrants such a discharge. Defines "qualified service."

Prohibits the payment of any retroactive benefits under this Act.

Mandates a processing fee of a specified amount for any benefit application for such qualified service.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 19
All 19 Democratic 9 Republican 2 Independent 1
GEPHARDT, RICHARD
· Sep 22, 1992
Faleomavaega, Eni
· Aug 12, 1992
 D
Hoyer, Steny H.
Maryland · Aug 12, 1992
 D
Kaptur, Marcy
Ohio · Jun 22, 1992
 D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Jun 22, 1992
 D
Mfume, Kweisi
Maryland · Jun 22, 1992
DOOLEY, CAL
· Mar 26, 1992
 R
Rogers, Harold
Kentucky · Mar 26, 1992
GOSS, PORTER
· Nov 26, 1991
LIPINSKI, WILLIAM
· Nov 18, 1991
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Nov 18, 1991
 R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Nov 18, 1991
FROST, MARTIN
· Oct 24, 1991
 D
Reed, Jack
Rhode Island · Oct 24, 1991
 I
Sanders, Bernard
Vermont · Oct 24, 1991
TAUZIN, W.
· Oct 24, 1991
 D
Neal, Richard E.
Massachusetts · Oct 1, 1991
 D
Pelosi, Nancy
California · Oct 1, 1991
 D
Pallone, Frank
New Jersey · Mar 19, 1991
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 44: Merchant Mariners Fairness Act of 1991. 102nd Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-44/
MLA
"H.R. 44: Merchant Mariners Fairness Act of 1991." 102nd Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-44/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 44, 102nd Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-44/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 44: Merchant Mariners Fairness Act of 1991](https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-44/)
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