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HR 4709 99th Congress House

A bill to provide that service of certain members of the United States merchant marine during World War II constituted active military service for purposes of any law administered by the Veterans'…

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

Official title: A bill to provide that service of certain 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 for other purposes.

Introduced: June 25, 1986 See on congress.gov
Armed Forces and National Security Merchant marineMerchant seamenMilitary dischargesShips and shipping
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Veterans' benefitsWorld War II
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This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) 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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 30, 1986
Introduced in House
Apr 30, 1986
Referred to House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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 Latest action April 30, 1986

Referred to House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Provides that certain qualified service of a member of the U.S. merchant marine 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 of a member of the United States merchant marine."

Prohibits the payment of any benefits under this Act retroactive to the date of enactment of this Act.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Wyden, Ron
Oregon · Jun 25, 1986
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4709: A bill to provide that service of certain 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 for other purposes.. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-4709/
MLA
"H.R. 4709: A bill to provide that service of certain 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 for other purposes.." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-4709/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4709, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-4709/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4709: A bill to provide that service of certain 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 for other purposes.](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-4709/)
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