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HR 3778 98th Congress House Armed Forces and National Security American military assistance Americans in foreign countries Armed forces abroad Congress and Members of Congress Congressional oversight Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Honduras International Affairs Nicaragua

A bill to require congressional consent before the introduction of United States combat forces into Central America.

Introduced: August 3, 1983 Introduced by: Markey, Edward J. Democratic · Massachusetts See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 98th Congress ended
It never became law before the 98th Congress (1983–1984) 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 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 18, 1983
Referred to Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs.
Aug 18, 1983
Referred to Subcommittee on International Security and Scientific Affairs.
Aug 3, 1983
Referred to House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Aug 3, 1983
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Prohibits sending combat troops into Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua for training exercises or any other purposes unless: (1) Congress has authorized their presence in advance by a joint resolution signed by the President; or (2) the presence of such troops is necessary to provide for the immediate evacuation of U.S. citizens, or to respond to a clear and present danger of military attack on the United States. Declares that, in either case, the President should advise and consult, to the extent possible, in advance with the Congress.

What's happening now August 18, 1983

Referred to Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 1741 Identical bill A bill to halt the introduction of U.S. Combat Units into Central America without the approval of Congress.
 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Kaptur, Marcy
Ohio · Sep 19, 1983
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3778: A bill to require congressional consent before the introduction of United States combat forces into Central America.. 98th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-3778/
MLA
"H.R. 3778: A bill to require congressional consent before the introduction of United States combat forces into Central America.." 98th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-3778/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3778, 98th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-3778/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3778: A bill to require congressional consent before the introduction of United States combat forces into Central America.](https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-3778/)
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