[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 26, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4440-S4441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. McCAIN (for himself, Mr. Allen, Mr. Graham of South 
        Carolina, and Mr. Chambliss):
  S. 718. A bill 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; read the first time.
  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the bills be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bills were ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 711

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

     SECTION 1. PAYMENT OF SELECTED RESERVE REENLISTMENT BONUS TO 
                   MEMBERS OF SELECTED RESERVE WHO ARE MOBILIZED.

       Section 308b of title 37, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (d), (e), and (f) as 
     subsections (e), (f), and (g), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new 
     subsection (d):
       ``(d) Payment to Mobilized Members.--In the case of a 
     member entitled to a bonus under this section who is called 
     or ordered to active duty, any amount of such bonus that is 
     payable to the member during the period of active duty of the 
     member shall be paid the member during that period of active 
     duty, notwithstanding the service of the member on active 
     duty pursuant to such call or order to active duty.''.

                                 S. 712

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

     SECTION 1. SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN ANNUITIES FOR SURVIVING 
                   SPOUSES OF RESERVES NOT ELIGIBLE FOR RETIREMENT 
                   WHO DIE FROM A CAUSE INCURRED OR AGGRAVATED 
                   WHILE ON INACTIVE-DUTY TRAINING.

       (a) Surviving Spouse Annuity.--Paragraph (1) of section 
     1448(f) of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read 
     as follows:
       ``(1) Surviving spouse annuity.--The Secretary concerned 
     shall pay an annuity under this subchapter to the surviving 
     spouse of--
       ``(A) a person who is eligible to provide a reserve-
     component annuity and who dies--
       ``(i) before being notified under section 12731(d) of this 
     title that he has completed the years of service required for 
     eligibility for reserve-component retired pay; or
       ``(ii) during the 90-day period beginning on the date he 
     receives notification under section 12731(d) of this title 
     that he has completed the years of service required for 
     eligibility for reserve-component retired pay if he had not 
     made an election under subsection (a)(2)(B) to participate in 
     the Plan; or
       ``(B) a member of a reserve component not described in 
     subparagraph (A) who dies from an injury or illness incurred 
     or aggravated in line of duty during inactive-duty 
     training.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--The heading for subsection (f) 
     of section 1448 of such title

[[Page S4441]]

     is amended by inserting ``or Before'' after ``Dying When''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect as of September 10, 2001, and shall apply 
     with respect to performance of inactive-duty training (as 
     defined in section 101(d) of title 10, United States Code) on 
     or after that date.

                                 S. 718

       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 
     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 members.
       (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, 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 and without compromising the 
     Department's military objectives and mission.
                                 ______