TheWeekInCongress.com (TM)

Week Ending December 8, 2006

S.2653 A bill to direct the Federal Communications Commission to make efforts to reduce telephone rates for Armed Forces personnel deployed overseas.

The Federal Communications Commission is directed to ‘take such actions as may be necessary to” reduce the cost of calling home for military personnel stationed or deployed overseas while at the same time the FCC is prohibited from regulating rates as a solution. The Act governing the FCC is amended to appeal the current FCC cost reduction authority with respect to personnel overseas.

It appears that the FCC will reduce the costs by waiving government fees, assessments or other such charges on the calls. The FCC will evaluate the costs and methods of reducing the rates and innovative ways such as voice-over Internet protocol.

Sponsor: Rep Ted Stevens (R-AK)

Vote: Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent December 6, 2006. Passed House by voice vote December 9, 2006

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

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