Fusion Energy Act
Latest action. Referred to joint committeeA committee with members from both chambers. Most are permanent and analytical, such as the Joint Committee on Taxation, and do not report legislation.Read the full definition (opens a new tab) on Atomic Energy.
Fusion Energy Act - Expresses the findings of Congress that the general welfare of the United States would be enhanced through the development of various applications of controlled fusion energy, commonly known as thermonuclear energy. Establishes the Advisory Committee on Thermonuclear Energy, to develop proposals to expand and accelerate the research and development of experimental and prototype fusion systems to be used for electrical power production, space propulsion, and resource element production. Requires the Committee to submit a report of such proposals to the Energy Resources Council within 180 days of the enactment of this Act. Provides that the Committee shall cease to exist 30 days after submitting its report. Establishes the Advisory Committee for Fusion Systems Development, which shall advise and consult with the Energy Resources Council with respect to the implementation of the proposals set forth in the report of the Advisory Committee on Thermonuclear Energy and the experimental and demonstration fusion systems under current development. Establishes the Advisory Committee for International Coordination of Fusion Energy Development, to consult with the Energy Resources Council with respect to the coordination of joint programs with other nations in the area of fusion systems for energy, propulsion and resource materials. Provides that these two committees shall cease to exist two years after the submission of the report of the Advisory Committee on Thermonuclear Energy, or upon the termination of the Energy Resources Council, whichever occurs first. Prescribes the membership and compensation of the three advisory committees, and their powers and responsibilities. Defines the terms used in this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
Written by analysts at the Congressional Research Service and published on Congress.gov, not by Civibrief. Summarized at the "Introduced in House" stage on November 26, 1974. It describes the bill, it is not the legal text.
Where is it in the process, and what happens next?
4 steps remain before this bill could become law.
The record's latest action, on November 26, 1974: Referred to Joint Committee on Atomic Energy.
- Clearing the committees it was referred to, and being scheduled for a floor vote
- Passage by the House
- Passage by the Senate
- The President's signature. If the President vetoes it, two-thirds of both chambers must vote to override.
How likely is it to become law?
Civibrief does not forecast outcomes and this page has no opinion about this one. What the record supports is a base rate, which is a fact about the whole pile, not a prediction about this measure.
In the 93rd Congress (1973-74), 651 of the 23,396 bills and joint resolutions introduced became law, about 2.8 percent. That count covers every measure at every stage, including the many that never left committee.
This one is not there yet: 4 steps are still outstanding, listed above.
Has anyone actually voted on it?
No. No roll call in this Congress cites this measure. That is the ordinary outcome: most measures never reach a recorded floor vote, and a committee ends most of them simply by not acting.
A vote is not the only thing that happens to a measure. Hearings, markups, and referrals are all recorded actions, and none of them is a vote of the full chamber.
Who is behind it?
RICHARD HANNA (D-CA) introduced it on November 26, 1974. No cosponsors are recorded.
Cosponsoring is a formal signature on the text. It is not a commitment to vote for the measure, it does not bind anyone's party, and a long list of cosponsors is a measure of attention rather than of prospects.
How long has it been in play?
It was introduced on November 26, 1974, 18916 days ago. The most recent recorded action was 18916 days ago, on November 26, 1974.
Measures do not carry over. Anything the 93rd Congress has not finished by January 3, 1975 dies when the term ends, and has to be introduced again from the start in the next Congress.
Every answer above is assembled from this measure's own record on Congress.gov and from published counts of what Congress has passed before. Civibrief does not predict outcomes and takes no position on any measure.
Vote history
- HouseIn committee, no floor vote yet
- SenateAwaits House passage
- PresidentAwaits both chambers