HR 3144 104th Congress House Armed Forces and National Security Advice and consent of the Senate Antimissile missiles Arms control agreements Arms control negotiations Ballistic missile defenses Congress Congress and foreign policy Congress and military policy Congressional reporting requirements Defense budgets Economics and Public Finance Government Operations and Politics International Affairs Military research Military strategy President and foreign policy Radar Research and development Russia

Defend America Act of 1996

Introduced: March 21, 1996 See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 10 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

May 16, 1996

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 287.

May 16, 1996

Committee on International Relations discharged.

May 16, 1996

House Committee on International Relations Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than May 16, 1996.

May 16, 1996

Reported by the Committee on National Security. H. Rept. 104-583, Part I.

May 16, 1996

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 438 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3144 with 2 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. The amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution, if offered by Mr. Spratt or his designee, shall be in order without intervention of any point of order and shall be debatable for one hour, equally divided and controlled. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.

May 1, 1996

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

May 1, 1996

Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 31 - 22.

Mar 22, 1996

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E423)

Mar 21, 1996

Introduced in House

Mar 21, 1996

Referred to the Committee on National Security, and in addition to the Committee on International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Defend America Act of 1996 - Expresses U.S. policy to deploy by the end of 2003 a National Missile Defense (NMD) system that: (1) is capable of providing a highly effective defense of U.S. territory against limited, unauthorized, or accidental ballistic missile attack; (2) will be augmented over time to provide a layered defense against larger and more sophisticated ballistic missile threats; and (3) does not feature an offensive-only form of deterrence.

Directs the Secretary of Defense to develop for deployment an affordable and operationally effective NMD system which shall achieve an initial operational capability by the end of 2003. Outlines system elements, including the use of missile interceptors on the ground, at sea, and in space. Directs the Secretary to take specified actions to implement the NMD system development upon enactment of this Act, including the conduct of an integrated systems test by the end of 1998.

Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress the Secretary's plans for the development and deployment of the NMD system.

Urges the President to pursue high-level discussions with the Russian Federation to achieve an agreement to amend the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty to allow deployment of the NMD system. Requires the President to present any such agreement to the Senate for its advice and consent. Requires the President and the Congress, if such an agreement is not achieved within one year after enactment of this Act, to consider exercising the option of withdrawing the United States from the ABM Treaty.

What's happening now May 16, 1996

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 287.

Committees of jurisdiction 2