InsideGov
Congress · Laws

Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1982

Public Law 97-86 · S. 815 · 97th Congress · began in the Senate

Signed by Ronald Reagan (R) on Dec 1, 1981 · Armed Forces and National Security

Sponsor: Sen. John Tower (R-TX)

Cosponsors (1): Sen. John Stennis

Passage votesYeaNay

  • HouseRecorded vote: 335 yea, 61 nay335–61
  • SenateVoice vote
Data notes

The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.

Report a correction

Summary

The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.

Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1982 - Title I: Procurement - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1982 for the armed forces for procurement of aircraft, missiles, naval vessels, tracked combat vehicles, torpedoes, other weapons, and the Army National Guard. Specifies contributions to the cost of acquisition of the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Permits the Secretary of Defense, in carrying out the Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding Between the NATO Ministers of Defense concerning the NATO AWACS Program, to waive reimbursement for the cost of specified functions performed by other personnel and to assume contingent liability for program losses and specified charges for fiscal year 1982.

Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Authorizes appropriations for the armed forces for research, development, test, and evaluation for fiscal year 1982. Prohibits the appropriation of funds for the development or procurement of a long-range combat aircraft or an operational basing mode for the MX missile if both Houses pass resolutions of disapproval by specified dates.

Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Authorizes appropriations for the armed forces (other than the Coast Guard) and for other activities and agencies of the Department of Defense for operation and maintenance purposes. Authorizes additional sums for increases in benefits for civilian employees of the Department of Defense. Prohibits the use of funds to convert military veterinary positions to civilian positions and to contract out an entire medical facility.

Title IV: Active Forces - Establishes end strength levels for fiscal year 1982 for active duty personnel for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and the Air Force. Extends through fiscal year 1982 the limitation on the number of non-high school graduates with no prior military service who may be enlisted or inducted into the armed forces. Designates Air Force physician assistants as commissioned officers.

Repeals the limitation on the number of military dependents permitted to accompany members of the armed forces stationed overseas. Directs the Secretary of Defense to report to the appropriate congressional committees quarterly on the number of dependents overseas who did or did not receive travel allowances.

Changes the title of Commodore Admiral to Commodore for specified naval officers.

Extends for two years the Department of Defense education loan repayment program.

Title V: Reserve Forces - Establishes average strengths for fiscal year 1982 for: (1) the Army National Guard; (2) the Army Reserve; (3) the Naval Reserve; (4) the Marine Corps Reserve; (5) the Air National Guard; (6) the Air Force Reserve; and (7) the Coast Guard Reserve. Sets forth the number of Reserves serving on full-time active duty to administer, recruit, or train the Reserve components. Provides for the adjustment of average strength levels in the national interest and as specified.

Increases the number of enlisted personnel who may be on active duty in support of the Reserve components for fiscal year 1982.

Directs the Secretary to submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report containing a plan for resolving the existing shortage in pretrained military manpower required for a mobilization. Requires the Secretary to study the impact of using civilian and contract employees not subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice during an emergency.

Extends for four years the authority for the selected reserve affiliation bonus.

Title VI: Civilian Personnel - Establishes an end strength level for civilian personnel for the Department of Defense for fiscal year 1982. Specifies the apportionment of such personnel among the various military branches and departments. Requires the Secretary of the Army to report to Congress on the utilization of such personnel within 60 days. Specifies the types of civilian employees to be included in such end levels. Permits the Secretary to increase the number of civilian personnel beyond the authorized end strength as specified.

Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to contract with university students for temporary technical support services at defense research and development laboratories.

Title VII: Military Training Student Loads - Establishes average military training student loads for fiscal year 1982.

Title VIII: Civil Defense - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1982 to carry out the provisions of the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950. Amends such Act to increase the amount that may be contributed to States for personnel and administrative expenses and to permit States to use these funds for both attack-related and disaster-related civil defense.

Title IX: General Provisions - Requires the annual authorization of appropriations for procurement of ammunition for the Army and other specified procurement.

Directs the Secretary to report annually to Congress concerning the equipment of the National Guard and the reserve components of the armed forces.

Permits the President to defer the effectiveness of any Department end strength level during a national emergency.

Permits the Secretary of Defense to make available to Federal, State, or local civilian law enforcement officials information, equipment, facilities and training and advisory personnel to assist law enforcement efforts. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations concerning the furnishing of and reimbursement for such assistance.

Revises the formula for determining Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) payments for charges for services by an individual health care professional.

Increases the dollar threshold on defense contracts which may be negotiated by an agency head rather than advertised and bid for.

Exempts the procurement of automatic data processing equipment or services involving military intelligence matters from laws otherwise applicable to the acquisition of such equipment or services.

Directs the Secretary of Defense to procure services and property through multiyear contracts and other contract forms that will result in reduced costs and increased productivity. Permits cancellation provisions in multiyear contracts to the extent necessary. Requires that the appropriate committees of Congress be given 30 days notice before contracts with a cancellation ceiling above a certain level are awarded.

Excludes procurement for the Coast Guard or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from such provisions. Amends the Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1976, to repeal the cancellation ceiling on multiyear procurement contracts.

Authorizes the President to regulate excessive profits on defense contracts during a period of war or national emergency. Requires that Congress be given 60 days notice of such regulations which shall be deemed approved unless a concurrent resolution of disapproval is passed. Requires the President to report to Congress annually on the effects of such regulations whenever they are in effect. Repeals the profit limitations on contracts for naval vessels.

Permits the Secretary of Defense or the relevant military department to study the suitability for Federal, State, or local use of a military installation slated to be closed. Permits the Secretary to make grants to States and local jurisdictions to ameliorate the economic impact of an established, expanded, or closed military installation.

Prohibits the use of appropriated funds to pay a price differential to relieve economic dislocations.

Prohibits the Secretary of a military department from doing business with a contractor who has been debarred or suspended by another Federal agency.

Permits the Secretary to contract with civilian owners of aircraft to have such aircraft modified to carry cargo and become part of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet.

Amends the Military Selective Service Act to authorize a requirement that registrants under such Act to furnish his social security number. Permits the Director of Selective Service access to Federal Government records on any such persons. Requires the Director to furnish directory information to the Secretaries of Defense and Transportation upon request.

Requires program managers for each major defense system to report quarterly to the Secretary concerned on the total program acquisition unit cost and any change in schedule milestones or system performances. Directs the Secretary to shut off further funds and notify Congress whenever such unit cost increases by a specified percent. Permits funds to be obligated for an additional limited period if the Secretary details specified reasons or if the system is essential for national security and no alternative exists.

Directs the Secretary to report to Congress by a specified date on measures considered necessary to improve efficiency and eliminate waste in the operation of the Department.

Authorizes the Secretary to assist in the Yorktown Bicentennial Celebration. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose.

Who voted for it

Every House member of the 97th Congress on the ideology compass. Highlighted: the 339 who voted yea on final passage. Faded: everyone else, including those who voted nay, did not vote, or had not yet taken office.

339 yea65 nay29 present or did not vote

Dimension 2
Economic left–right
More liberalMore conservative

Democrats who voted yea(170)

  • Rep. Henry GonzálezD-TX-20
  • Rep. Mervyn DymallyD-CA-31
  • Rep. Julian DixonD-CA-28
  • Rep. Victor FazioD-CA-4
  • Rep. Gus HawkinsD-CA-29
  • Rep. Paul SimonD-IL-24
  • Rep. Benjamin RosenthalD-NY-8
  • Rep. William LehmanD-FL-13
  • Rep. John DingellD-MI-16
  • Rep. James ShannonD-MA-5
  • Rep. James ScheuerD-NY-11
  • Rep. Daniel AkakaD-HI-2
  • Rep. Robert MatsuiD-CA-3
  • Rep. William CoyneD-PA-14
  • Rep. Henry WaxmanD-CA-24
  • Rep. Nick RahallD-WV-4
  • Rep. Claude PepperD-FL-14
  • Rep. James HowardD-NJ-3
  • Rep. George DanielsonD-CA-30
  • Rep. John MoakleyD-MA-9
  • Rep. Thomas DowneyD-NY-2
  • Rep. Stephen SolarzD-NY-13
  • Rep. Joseph AddabboD-NY-7
  • Rep. Chuck SchumerD-NY-16
  • Rep. Norman MinetaD-CA-13
  • Rep. Albert GoreD-TN-4
  • Rep. Bernard DwyerD-NJ-15
  • Rep. Brian DonnellyD-MA-11
  • Rep. Raymond KogovsekD-CO-3
  • Rep. Robert MollohanD-WV-1
  • Rep. Geraldine FerraroD-NY-9
  • Rep. Steny HoyerD-MD-5
  • Rep. Donald BaileyD-PA-21
  • Rep. Anthony CoelhoD-CA-15
  • Rep. Martin FrostD-TX-24
  • Rep. Charles PriceD-IL-23
  • Rep. Frank GuariniD-NJ-14
  • Rep. Thomas FoleyD-WA-5
  • Rep. Dante FascellD-FL-15
  • Rep. Mary OakarD-OH-20
  • Rep. Morris UdallD-AZ-2
  • Rep. Matthew McHughD-NY-27
  • Rep. Joseph SmithD-PA-3
  • Rep. Mario BiaggiD-NY-10
  • Rep. Frank AnnunzioD-IL-11
  • Rep. Nicholas MavroulesD-MA-6
  • Rep. Carl PerkinsD-KY-7
  • Rep. Adam BenjaminD-IN-1
  • Rep. Peter PeyserD-NY-23
  • Rep. John FaryD-IL-5
  • Rep. Joseph MinishD-NJ-11
  • Rep. Gillis LongD-LA-8
  • Rep. John MurthaD-PA-12
  • Rep. William RatchfordD-CT-5
  • Rep. Tom LantosD-CA-11
  • Rep. Bill AlexanderD-AR-1
  • Rep. James FlorioD-NJ-1
  • Rep. Henry NowakD-NY-37
  • Rep. Leo ZeferettiD-NY-15
  • Rep. Clement ZablockiD-WI-4
  • Rep. Jerome TraxlerD-MI-8
  • Rep. Leslie AspinD-WI-1
  • Rep. Daniel RostenkowskiD-IL-8
  • Rep. David EvansD-IN-6
  • Rep. Norm DicksD-WA-6
  • Rep. Robert RoeD-NJ-8
  • Rep. Allan SwiftD-WA-2
  • Rep. Don BonkerD-WA-3
  • Rep. Fernand St. GermainD-RI-1
  • Rep. Dennis EckartD-OH-22
  • Rep. Donald PeaseD-OH-13
  • Rep. Timothy WirthD-CO-2
  • Rep. Joseph GaydosD-PA-20
  • Rep. Charles DowdyD-MS-4
  • Rep. Edward BolandD-MA-2
  • Rep. Walter JonesD-NC-1
  • Rep. Jerry PattersonD-CA-38
  • Rep. John LaFalceD-NY-36
  • Rep. Sam GejdensonD-CT-2
  • Rep. Stanley LundineD-NY-39
  • Rep. Robert ShamanskyD-OH-12
  • Rep. Charles RoseD-NC-7
  • Rep. Leon PanettaD-CA-16
  • Rep. Michael SynarD-OK-2
  • Rep. Cecil HeftelD-HI-1
  • Rep. Neal SmithD-IA-4
  • Rep. Tom BevillD-AL-4
  • Rep. Donald AlbostaD-MI-10
  • Rep. Wyche FowlerD-GA-5
  • Rep. Kika de la GarzaD-TX-15
  • Rep. David BowenD-MS-2
  • Rep. Allen ErtelD-PA-17
  • Rep. William NatcherD-KY-2
  • Rep. Tom DaschleD-SD-1
  • Rep. Dick GephardtD-MO-3
  • Rep. Michael BarnesD-MD-8
  • Rep. Douglas WalgrenD-PA-18
  • Rep. Ronnie FlippoD-AL-5
  • Rep. Clarence LongD-MD-2
  • Rep. Jamie WhittenD-MS-1
  • Rep. Robert YoungD-MO-2
  • Rep. William BonerD-TN-5
  • Rep. Beryl AnthonyD-AR-4
  • Rep. Ed JonesD-TN-7
  • Rep. James JonesD-OK-1
  • Rep. Bo GinnD-GA-1
  • Rep. Butler DerrickD-SC-3
  • Rep. Ike AndrewsD-NC-4
  • Rep. Tony HallD-OH-3
  • Rep. Abraham KazenD-TX-23
  • Rep. Samuel StrattonD-NY-28
  • Rep. Marilyn LloydD-TN-3
  • Rep. Bill HefnerD-NC-8
  • Rep. Norman D’AmoursD-NH-1
  • Rep. Glenn AndersonD-CA-32
  • Rep. Gus YatronD-PA-6
  • Rep. Royden DysonD-MD-1
  • Rep. Daniel MicaD-FL-11
  • Rep. Kenneth HollandD-SC-5
  • Rep. Thomas LukenD-OH-2
  • Rep. Romano MazzoliD-KY-3
  • Rep. Don FuquaD-FL-2
  • Rep. Austin MurphyD-PA-22
  • Rep. William HughesD-NJ-2
  • Rep. Charles HatcherD-GA-2
  • Rep. Charles WilsonD-TX-2
  • Rep. Daniel GlickmanD-KS-4
  • Rep. Stephen NealD-NC-5
  • Rep. Charles WhitleyD-NC-3
  • Rep. Bill NelsonD-FL-9
  • Rep. Philip SharpD-IN-10
  • Rep. Jack BrinkleyD-GA-3
  • Rep. Lee HamiltonD-IN-9
  • Rep. William PatmanD-TX-14
  • Rep. Carroll HubbardD-KY-1
  • Rep. Sam GibbonsD-FL-7
  • Rep. Ike SkeltonD-MO-4
  • Rep. Jake PickleD-TX-10
  • Rep. Andrew JacobsD-IN-11
  • Rep. Douglas ApplegateD-OH-18
  • Rep. Earl HuttoD-FL-1
  • Rep. William ChappellD-FL-4
  • Rep. David McCurdyD-OK-4
  • Rep. Richard WhiteD-TX-16
  • Rep. Ed JenkinsD-GA-9
  • Rep. Billy EvansD-GA-8
  • Rep. Elliott LevitasD-GA-4
  • Rep. Jack HightowerD-TX-13
  • Rep. Charles BennettD-FL-3
  • Rep. William NicholsD-AL-3
  • Rep. Glenn EnglishD-OK-6
  • Rep. Kent HanceD-TX-19
  • Rep. Beverly ByronD-MD-6
  • Rep. Lawrence FountainD-NC-2
  • Rep. John BreauxD-LA-7
  • Rep. Ronald MottlD-OH-23
  • Rep. James SantiniD-NV
  • Rep. Thomas HuckabyD-LA-5
  • Rep. Ralph HallD-TX-4
  • Rep. Sam HallD-TX-1
  • Rep. Billy TauzinD-LA-3
  • Rep. Andy IrelandD-FL-8
  • Rep. Richard ShelbyD-AL-7
  • Rep. Sonny MontgomeryD-MS-3
  • Rep. James LeathD-TX-11
  • Rep. Charlie StenholmD-TX-17
  • Rep. Dan DanielD-VA-5
  • Rep. Buddy RoemerD-LA-4
  • Rep. Phil GrammD-TX-6
  • Rep. Robert StumpD-AZ-3

Republicans who voted yea(168)

  • Rep. Claudine SchneiderR-RI-2
  • Rep. Bill GreenR-NY-18
  • Rep. Matthew RinaldoR-NJ-12
  • Rep. Jim JeffordsR-VT
  • Rep. Lawrence DeNardisR-CT-3
  • Rep. Margaret HecklerR-MA-10
  • Rep. Silvio ConteR-MA-1
  • Rep. Marc MarksR-PA-24
  • Rep. Charles DoughertyR-PA-4
  • Rep. Stewart McKinneyR-CT-4
  • Rep. Benjamin GilmanR-NY-26
  • Rep. Frank HortonR-NY-34
  • Rep. Joseph McDadeR-PA-10
  • Rep. Lyle WilliamsR-OH-19
  • Rep. Jim LeachR-IA-1
  • Rep. Hamilton FishR-NY-25
  • Rep. Chris SmithR-NJ-4
  • Rep. Eugene AtkinsonR-PA-25
  • Rep. Thomas RailsbackR-IL-19
  • Rep. Donald MitchellR-NY-31
  • Rep. Olympia SnoweR-ME-2
  • Rep. Huey DeckardR-IN-8
  • Rep. James NelliganR-PA-11
  • Rep. George O’BrienR-IL-17
  • Rep. William WamplerR-VA-9
  • Rep. William ClingerR-PA-23
  • Rep. Arlen ErdahlR-MN-1
  • Rep. Harold SawyerR-MI-5
  • Rep. David EmeryR-ME-1
  • Rep. Donald ClausenR-CA-2
  • Rep. Jack EdwardsR-AL-1
  • Rep. Thomas EvansR-DE
  • Rep. Norman LentR-NY-4
  • Rep. Guy MolinariR-NY-17
  • Rep. Paul FindleyR-IL-20
  • Rep. Ralph RegulaR-OH-16
  • Rep. John NapierR-SC-6
  • Rep. Marge RoukemaR-NJ-7
  • Rep. Frank WolfR-VA-10
  • Rep. James DunnR-MI-6
  • Rep. John HammerschmidtR-AR-3
  • Rep. Stanford ParrisR-VA-8
  • Rep. John PorterR-IL-10
  • Rep. James QuillenR-TN-1
  • Rep. John RhodesR-AZ-1
  • Rep. John StantonR-OH-11
  • Rep. Chalmers WylieR-OH-15
  • Rep. David MarriottR-UT-2
  • Rep. Hal RogersR-KY-5
  • Rep. Elwood HillisR-IN-5
  • Rep. Sidney MorrisonR-WA-4
  • Rep. James CourterR-NJ-13
  • Rep. Raymond McGrathR-NY-5
  • Rep. James CoyneR-PA-8
  • Rep. Doug BereuterR-NE-1
  • Rep. Paul TribleR-VA-1
  • Rep. Marion SnyderR-KY-4
  • Rep. George WhitehurstR-VA-2
  • Rep. Lynn MartinR-IL-16
  • Rep. Bobbi FiedlerR-CA-21
  • Rep. Don YoungR-AK
  • Rep. Robert CoughlinR-PA-13
  • Rep. William CarneyR-NY-1
  • Rep. Larry HopkinsR-KY-6
  • Rep. Skip BafalisR-FL-10
  • Rep. Edward WeberR-OH-9
  • Rep. George WortleyR-NY-32
  • Rep. W. Bill YoungR-FL-6
  • Rep. Henry HydeR-IL-6
  • Rep. Charles PashayanR-CA-17
  • Rep. John MyersR-IN-7
  • Rep. Robert McCloryR-IL-13
  • Rep. Toby RothR-WI-8
  • Rep. Cleveland BenedictR-WV-2
  • Rep. Larry WinnR-KS-3
  • Rep. Edwin BethuneR-AR-2
  • Rep. Steven GundersonR-WI-3
  • Rep. Floyd SpenceR-SC-2
  • Rep. Newton GingrichR-GA-6
  • Rep. Thomas EvansR-IA-3
  • Rep. Manuel LujánR-NM-1
  • Rep. William BroomfieldR-MI-19
  • Rep. Carroll CampbellR-SC-4
  • Rep. Joseph SkeenR-NM-2
  • Rep. Robert LivingstonR-LA-1
  • Rep. Willis GradisonR-OH-1
  • Rep. William MooreR-LA-6
  • Rep. Bob McEwenR-OH-6
  • Rep. Ronald MarleneeR-MT-2
  • Rep. Gene TaylorR-MO-7
  • Rep. Arlan StangelandR-MN-7
  • Rep. Tom PetriR-WI-6
  • Rep. Jack KempR-NY-38
  • Rep. Richard SchulzeR-PA-5
  • Rep. Clay ShawR-FL-12
  • Rep. Hal DaubR-NE-2
  • Rep. Robert WhittakerR-KS-5
  • Rep. John ErlenbornR-IL-14
  • Rep. William LoweryR-CA-41
  • Rep. Thomas CorcoranR-IL-15
  • Rep. David StatonR-WV-3
  • Rep. Donald RitterR-PA-15
  • Rep. Duncan HunterR-CA-42
  • Rep. James RobinsonR-VA-7
  • Rep. Trent LottR-MS-5
  • Rep. Gregory CarmanR-NY-3
  • Rep. Robert MichelR-IL-18
  • Rep. Michael OxleyR-OH-4
  • Rep. Bill McCollumR-FL-5
  • Rep. Gary LeeR-NY-33
  • Rep. Eugene ChappieR-CA-1
  • Rep. Bud ShusterR-PA-9
  • Rep. Pat RobertsR-KS-1
  • Rep. Robert DanielR-VA-4
  • Rep. Clair BurgenerR-CA-43
  • Rep. Tom BlileyR-VA-3
  • Rep. Bill ThomasR-CA-18
  • Rep. Kenneth KramerR-CO-5
  • Rep. Robert LagomarsinoR-CA-19
  • Rep. Eldon RuddR-AZ-4
  • Rep. William HendonR-NC-11
  • Rep. Jerry LewisR-CA-37
  • Rep. Daniel CoatsR-IN-4
  • Rep. Barber ConableR-NY-35
  • Rep. Thomas LoefflerR-TX-21
  • Rep. Mark SiljanderR-MI-4
  • Rep. William FrenzelR-MN-3
  • Rep. James BroyhillR-NC-10
  • Rep. William GoodlingR-PA-19
  • Rep. Mickey EdwardsR-OK-5
  • Rep. Marjorie HoltR-MD-4
  • Rep. Clint RobertsR-SD-2
  • Rep. Judd GreggR-NH-2
  • Rep. Thomas KindnessR-OH-8
  • Rep. Delbert LattaR-OH-5
  • Rep. Edward DerwinskiR-IL-4
  • Rep. Wayne GrishamR-CA-33
  • Rep. John WeberR-MN-6
  • Rep. Carlos MoorheadR-CA-22
  • Rep. John HilerR-IN-3
  • Rep. Manley ButlerR-VA-6
  • Rep. Richard CheneyR-WY
  • Rep. James SensenbrennerR-WI-9
  • Rep. Albert SmithR-AL-6
  • Rep. Wendell BaileyR-MO-8
  • Rep. Thomas HartnettR-SC-1
  • Rep. James HansenR-UT-1
  • Rep. Bill EmersonR-MO-10
  • Rep. Clarence MillerR-OH-10
  • Rep. William DickinsonR-AL-2
  • Rep. Robert BadhamR-CA-40
  • Rep. Daniel LungrenR-CA-34
  • Rep. John AshbrookR-OH-17
  • Rep. Larry CraigR-ID-1
  • Rep. Bill ArcherR-TX-7
  • Rep. Gerald SolomonR-NY-29
  • Rep. Norman ShumwayR-CA-14
  • Rep. Jack FieldsR-TX-8
  • Rep. John RousselotR-CA-26
  • Rep. Robert WalkerR-PA-16
  • Rep. George HansenR-ID-2
  • Rep. William DannemeyerR-CA-39
  • Rep. James CollinsR-TX-3
  • Rep. David DreierR-CA-35
  • Rep. James JeffriesR-KS-2
  • Rep. Denny SmithR-OR-2
  • Rep. Phil CraneR-IL-12
  • Rep. Daniel CraneR-IL-22
Data notes

The House’s recorded vote on the final version of the law (roll call 292 in Voteview), matched to the vote the record cites and checked against its totals. Positions are each member’s DW-NOMINATE score for that Congress, as on the Ideology page; left to right is more liberal to more conservative. Paired and announced yea votes count as yea. Lists follow the compass, most liberal first. 1 yea vote was cast by members of neither major party and is highlighted on the compass but not listed. A name links to a profile only for members of the current Congress. A law passed by voice vote or unanimous consent has no member list, and neither does a vote Voteview has not yet recorded.

Report a correction

Committees

The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.

  • Armed Services Committee · Senate · markup by, referred to, reported bySubcommittee: Force Requirements and Personnel Subcommittee; Strategic Forces Subcommittee; Personnel Subcommittee; Acquisition and Technology Subcommittee; Sea Power and Force Projection Subcommittee
Data notes

A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.

Report a correction

Timeline

From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 61 actions.

  1. Dec 1, 1981Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 97-86.
  2. Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
  3. Nov 19, 1981PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
  4. Nov 17, 1981Resolving differencesResolving differences · House Agreed to Conference Report by Yea-Nay Vote: 335 - 61 (Record Vote No: 309).House roll call 309
  5. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report agreed to in House: House Agreed to Conference Report by Yea-Nay Vote: 335 - 61 (Record Vote No: 309).House roll call 309
  6. FloorFloor · Rule Passed House.
  7. Nov 5, 1981Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to conference report by Voice Vote.
  8. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Voice Vote.
  9. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report considered in Senate.
  10. Nov 3, 1981Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference Report 97-311 Filed in House.
  11. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report filed: Conference Report 97-311 Filed in House.
  12. Oct 29, 1981Resolving differencesResolving differences · House Conferees Further Instructed by Voice Vote.
  13. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conferees agreed to file conference report.
  14. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.
  15. Oct 27, 1981Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference held.
  16. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference committee actions: Conference held.
  17. Oct 22, 1981Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference held.
  18. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference committee actions: Conference held.
  19. Oct 21, 1981Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference held.
  20. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference committee actions: Conference held.
  21. Oct 15, 1981Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference held.
  22. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference committee actions: Conference held.
  23. Oct 6, 1981Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference held.
  24. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference committee actions: Conference held.
  25. Sep 16, 1981Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference held.
  26. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference committee actions: Conference held.
  27. Sep 15, 1981Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference held.
  28. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference committee actions: Conference held.
  29. Sep 10, 1981Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference held.
  30. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference committee actions: Conference held.
Data notes

Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.

Report a correction

Official record

The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.