[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5210 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 5210

   To provide a monthly allotment of free telephone calling time to 
   members of the United States Armed Forces deployed outside of the 
 United States who are directly supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom or 
                      Operation Enduring Freedom.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 5, 2004

  Mr. Filner introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                      Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To provide a monthly allotment of free telephone calling time to 
   members of the United States Armed Forces deployed outside of the 
 United States who are directly supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom or 
                      Operation Enduring Freedom.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Troops Phone Home Free Act of 
2004''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) The United States Armed Forces are the finest in the 
        world.
            (2) Members of the Armed Forces are bravely placing their 
        lives in danger in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation 
        Enduring Freedom.
            (3) Their families and loved ones are making sacrifices at 
        home in support of members of the Armed Forces abroad.
            (4) Telephone contact with family and friends provides 
        significant emotional and psychological support to members of 
        the Armed Forces abroad and helps to sustain and improve their 
        morale.

SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TELECOMMUNICATIONS BENEFIT.

    (a) Provision of Benefit.--As soon as possible after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall provide, wherever 
practicable, prepaid phone cards, or an equivalent telecommunications 
benefit which includes access to telephone service, to members of the 
Armed Forces deployed outside the United States who are directly 
supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom, as 
determined by the Secretary, to enable such members to make telephone 
calls to family and friends in the United States without cost to the 
member.
    (b) Monthly Amount.--The value of the benefit provided by 
subsection (a) shall not exceed $40 per month per person.
    (c) End of Program.--The program established by subsection (a) 
shall terminate on the date that is 60 days after the date on which the 
Secretary determines that both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation 
Enduring Freedom have ended.
    (d) Funding.--
            (1) Use of existing resources.--In carrying out this 
        section, the Secretary shall maximize the use of existing 
        Department of Defense telecommunications programs and 
        capabilities, private support organizations, private entities 
        offering free or reduced-cost telecommunications services, and 
        programs to enhance morale and welfare.
            (2) Use of appropriated funds.--In addition to resources 
        described in paragraph (1) and notwithstanding any limitation 
        on the expenditure or obligation of appropriated amounts, the 
        Secretary may use available funds appropriated to or for the 
        use of the Department of Defense that are not otherwise 
        obligated or expended to carry out this section.

SEC. 4. DEPLOYMENT OF ADDITIONAL TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT.

    The Secretary of Defense shall work with telecommunications 
providers to facilitate the deployment of additional telephones for use 
in calling the United States under this Act as quickly as practicable, 
consistent with the availability of resources. Consistent with the 
timely provision of telecommunications benefits under this Act, the 
Secretary should carry out this section and section 3 in a manner that 
allows for competition in the provision of such benefits.

SEC. 5. NO COMPROMISE OF MILITARY MISSION.

    The Secretary of Defense shall not take any action under this Act 
that would compromise the military objectives or mission of the Armed 
Forces.
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