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HR 44 104th 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: July 26, 1995 See on congress.gov
Armed Forces and National Security Administrative feesMerchant marineMerchant seamenMilitary discharges
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Transportation and Public WorksVeterans' benefitsWorld War II
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This bill died when the 104th Congress ended
It never became law before the 104th Congress (1995–1996) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 4, 1995
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jan 4, 1995
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E22-23)
Jan 4, 1995
Introduced in House
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 Latest action January 4, 1995

Referred to the House Committee on 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 1
 Cosponsors 18
All 18 Democratic 7 Republican 1
GEPHARDT, RICHARD
· Oct 26, 1995
 D
Bishop, Sanford D.
Georgia · Sep 19, 1995
GOSS, PORTER
· Sep 19, 1995
KLECZKA, GERALD
· Sep 12, 1995
Burr, Richard
· Jul 26, 1995
 D
Pallone, Frank
New Jersey · Jul 26, 1995
 D
Reed, Jack
Rhode Island · Jul 12, 1995
 D
Scott, Robert C. "Bobby"
Virginia · Jun 16, 1995
 D
Durbin, Richard J.
Illinois · May 10, 1995
BALLENGER, CASS
· May 1, 1995
QUINN, JACK
· May 1, 1995
Sanford, Mark
· Mar 30, 1995
 D
Hoyer, Steny H.
Maryland · Mar 21, 1995
LIPINSKI, WILLIAM
· Mar 2, 1995
FROST, MARTIN
· Feb 24, 1995
BEREUTER, DOUGLAS
· Feb 21, 1995
 D
Pelosi, Nancy
California · Feb 21, 1995
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Jan 4, 1995
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 44: Merchant Mariners Fairness Act of 1993. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-44/
MLA
"H.R. 44: Merchant Mariners Fairness Act of 1993." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-44/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 44, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-44/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 44: Merchant Mariners Fairness Act of 1993](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-44/)
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