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 En-
during Freedom. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives 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 Free-
dom 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 sup-
port 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 en-
able 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 Free-
dom have ended. 
(d) FUNDING.— 
(1) USE
OF
EXISTING
RESOURCES.—In car-
rying out this section, the Secretary shall maximize 
the use of existing Department of Defense tele-
communications 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 addi-
tion 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 oth-
erwise obligated or expended to carry out this sec-
tion.
SEC. 4. DEPLOYMENT OF ADDITIONAL TELEPHONE EQUIP-
MENT. 
The Secretary of Defense shall work with tele-
communications 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 objec-
tives or mission of the Armed Forces. 
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