[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 718 Referred in House (RFH)]

  1st Session
                                 S. 718


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 2, 2003

              Referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT


 
   To provide a monthly allotment of free telephone calling time to 
members of the United States armed forces stationed outside the United 
   States who are directly supporting military operations in Iraq or 
                              Afghanistan.

    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 
2003''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

    It is the purpose of this Act to support the morale of the brave 
men and women of the United States armed services stationed outside the 
United States who are directly supporting military operations in Iraq 
or Afghanistan (as determined by the Secretary of Defense) by giving 
them the ability to place calls to their loved ones without expense to 
them.

SEC. 3. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) The armed services of the United States are the finest 
        in the world.
            (2) The members of the armed services are bravely placing 
        their lives in danger to protect the security of the people of 
        the United States and to advance the cause of freedom in Iraq.
            (3) Their families and loved ones are making sacrifices at 
        home in support of the members of the armed services abroad.
            (4) Telephone contact with family and friends provides 
        significant emotional and psychological support to them and 
        helps to sustain and improve morale.

SEC. 4. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TELECOMMUNICATIONS BENEFIT.

    (a) In General.--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 
stationed outside the United States who are directly supporting 
military operations in Iraq or Afghanistan (as determined by the 
Secretary) to enable them 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 Operation Iraqi Freedom has 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 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. 5. 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 4 in a manner that 
allows for competition in the provision of such benefits.

SEC. 6. 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 
Department of Defense.

            Passed the Senate April 1, 2003.

            Attest:

                                             EMILY J. REYNOLDS,

                                                             Secretary.