On the recordMay 17, 2012
In March, ``NBC News'' ran a story about a soldier who was charged $41 for a three-second voicemail he left his wife from a pay phone in an airplane in Germany. {time} 1820 This is simply outrageous. For servicemembers in transit to and from deployment, a quick phone call from an airport pay phone is often their only link to loved ones at home. Because public phones in foreign airports may not accept prepaid calling cards, servicemembers have to accept whatever cost the pay phone service charges in that particular airport. It is important that we help provide that crucial link for our servicemembers during this time of transit. My amendment would direct the DOD to submit a report on the feasibility of providing telecom services to servicemembers in transit to overseas deployment and to investigate allegations of overcharging servicemembers. The brave men and women of our Armed Forces deserve better than $41 3-second call. I encourage all Members to support my amendment. Mr. McKEON. I reserve the balance of my time.
