I 

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. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Troops Phone Home 

5 Free Act of 2004’’. 

6 SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 

7 The Congress finds the following: 
2 

•HR 5210 IH 

1 (1) The United States Armed Forces are the 

2 finest in the world. 

3 (2) Members of the Armed Forces are bravely 

4 placing their lives in danger in Operation Iraqi Free5 dom and Operation Enduring Freedom. 

6 (3) Their families and loved ones are making 

7 sacrifices at home in support of members of the 

8 Armed Forces abroad. 

9 (4) Telephone contact with family and friends 

10 provides significant emotional and psychological sup11 port to members of the Armed Forces abroad and 

12 helps to sustain and improve their morale. 

13 SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TELECOMMUNICATIONS 

14 BENEFIT. 

15 (a) PROVISION OF BENEFIT.—As soon as possible 

16 after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 

17 Defense shall provide, wherever practicable, prepaid phone 

18 cards, or an equivalent telecommunications benefit which 

19 includes access to telephone service, to members of the 

20 Armed Forces deployed outside the United States who are 

21 directly supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation 

22 Enduring Freedom, as determined by the Secretary, to en23 able such members to make telephone calls to family and 

24 friends in the United States without cost to the member. 
3 

•HR 5210 IH 

1 (b) MONTHLY AMOUNT.—The value of the benefit 

2 provided by subsection (a) shall not exceed $40 per month 

3 per person. 

4 (c) END OF PROGRAM.—The program established by 

5 subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is 60 days 

6 after the date on which the Secretary determines that both 

7 Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Free8 dom have ended. 

9 (d) FUNDING.— 

10 (1) USE OF EXISTING RESOURCES.—In car11 rying out this section, the Secretary shall maximize 

12 the use of existing Department of Defense tele13 communications programs and capabilities, private 

14 support organizations, private entities offering free 

15 or reduced-cost telecommunications services, and 

16 programs to enhance morale and welfare. 

17 (2) USE OF APPROPRIATED FUNDS.—In addi18 tion to resources described in paragraph (1) and 

19 notwithstanding any limitation on the expenditure or 

20 obligation of appropriated amounts, the Secretary 

21 may use available funds appropriated to or for the 

22 use of the Department of Defense that are not oth23 erwise obligated or expended to carry out this sec24 tion. 
4 

•HR 5210 IH 

1 SEC. 4. DEPLOYMENT OF ADDITIONAL TELEPHONE EQUIP2 MENT. 

3 The Secretary of Defense shall work with tele4 communications providers to facilitate the deployment of 

5 additional telephones for use in calling the United States 

6 under this Act as quickly as practicable, consistent with 

7 the availability of resources. Consistent with the timely 

8 provision of telecommunications benefits under this Act, 

9 the Secretary should carry out this section and section 3 

10 in a manner that allows for competition in the provision 

11 of such benefits. 

12 SEC. 5. NO COMPROMISE OF MILITARY MISSION. 

13 The Secretary of Defense shall not take any action 

14 under this Act that would compromise the military objec15 tives or mission of the Armed Forces. 

Æ