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HR 44 103th Congress House

Merchant Mariners Fairness Act of 1993

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 Department of Veterans Affairs.

Introduced: January 5, 1993 See on congress.gov
Armed Forces and National Security Administrative feesMerchant marineMerchant seamenMilitary discharges
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Veterans' benefitsWorld War II
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This bill died when the 103rd Congress ended
It never became law before the 103rd Congress (1993–1994) 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 10 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 1, 1993
Executive Comment Received from Veterans' Affairs.
Jul 23, 1993
Executive Comment Requested from DOD.
Jul 9, 1993
Executive Comment Requested from Veterans' Affairs.
Jan 25, 1993
Referred to the Subcommittee on Compensation, Pension and Insurance.
Jan 25, 1993
Referred to the Subcommittee on Education, Training and Employment.
Jan 25, 1993
Referred to the Subcommittee on Hospitals and Health Care.
Jan 25, 1993
Referred to the Subcommittee on Housing and Memorial Affairs.
Jan 5, 1993
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jan 5, 1993
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E63-64)
Jan 5, 1993
Introduced in House
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 Latest action October 1, 1993

Executive Comment Received from Veterans' Affairs.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Merchant Mariners Fairness Act of 1993 - 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.

Prohibits the payment of any retroactive benefits under this Act.

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

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 5
 Cosponsors 27
All 27 Democratic 14 Republican 2 Independent 1
D
Durbin, Richard J.
Illinois · Feb 24, 1994
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Oct 6, 1993
QUINN, JACK
· Oct 6, 1993
 D
Bishop, Sanford D.
Georgia · Aug 5, 1993
 D
Clyburn, James E.
South Carolina · Aug 5, 1993
 D
Hoyer, Steny H.
Maryland · Jul 1, 1993
 D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Jul 1, 1993
 D
Pelosi, Nancy
California · May 17, 1993
BEREUTER, DOUGLAS
· Apr 1, 1993
DUNN, JENNIFER
· Apr 1, 1993
GEPHARDT, RICHARD
· Apr 1, 1993
 D
Nadler, Jerrold
New York · Apr 1, 1993
BUYER, STEPHEN
· Feb 17, 1993
 D
Reed, Jack
Rhode Island · Feb 17, 1993
 D
Scott, Robert C. "Bobby"
Virginia · Feb 17, 1993
 D
Wyden, Ron
Oregon · Feb 17, 1993
Faleomavaega, Eni
· Jan 5, 1993
FROST, MARTIN
· Jan 5, 1993
GOSS, PORTER
· Jan 5, 1993
 D
Kaptur, Marcy
Ohio · Jan 5, 1993
LIPINSKI, WILLIAM
· Jan 5, 1993
 D
Neal, Richard E.
Massachusetts · Jan 5, 1993
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Jan 5, 1993
 D
Pallone, Frank
New Jersey · Jan 5, 1993
 I
Sanders, Bernard
Vermont · Jan 5, 1993
 R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Jan 5, 1993
TAUZIN, W.
· Jan 5, 1993
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 44: Merchant Mariners Fairness Act of 1993. 103rd Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-44/
MLA
"H.R. 44: Merchant Mariners Fairness Act of 1993." 103rd Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-44/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 44, 103rd Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-44/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 44: Merchant Mariners Fairness Act of 1993](https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-44/)
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