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S. 718 · 108th Congress

Troops Phone Home Free Act of 2003

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IntroducedPassed one chamberPassed both chambersBecame law (gold)Resolution agreed to (full, dark)Failed or vetoed (gray)

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Passed the Senate without a recorded vote, then expired. It passed by voice vote or unanimous consent, which don't record how each member voted, but didn't become law before the 108th Congress ended.

JMR McCainSponsor
6 cosponsors · 1 D, 5 R
GAR Allen SCR Chambliss LGR Graham SCR Collins JGR Gregg ZMD Miller

3 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.

  1. Senate Introduced Mar 26, 2003
  2. Senate Passed Apr 1, 2003

Troops Phone Home Free Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide prepaid phone cards, or the equivalent telephone service benefit, to military personnel stationed outside the United States who are directly supporting military operations in Iraq or Afghanistan to enable such personnel to call family and friends in the United States at no…

What it does: CRS summary · Passed Senate amended · Apr 1, 2003
Troops Phone Home Free Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide prepaid phone cards, or the equivalent telephone service benefit, to military personnel stationed outside the United States who are directly supporting military operations in Iraq or Afghanistan to enable such personnel to call family and friends in the United States at no cost. Limits such benefit to $40 per month per person. Terminates the program 60 days after the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) work with telecommunications providers to facilitate the deployment of additional telephones for such use as quickly as practicable; and (2) carry out this Act in a manner that allows for competition in the provision of benefits.

Prohibits the Secretary from taking any action under this Act that would compromise the military objectives or mission of the Department of Defense.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov

About this bill and sources

Official title: Troops Phone Home Free Act of 2003

Latest action (Apr 8, 2003): Executive Comment Requested from DOD.

Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security · Origin: Senate · Introduced: Mar 26, 2003

Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)

  1. Senate Introduced Mar 26, 2003
  2. Senate Passed Apr 1, 2003

No recorded floor vote found.