(This is new from the AFAA website.)

House and Senate Pass "Call Home Act"
In late action on December 9th, the House passed the "Call Home Act of 2006." The measure had earlier passed the Senate and President Bush is expected to sign the measure into law within the next few days.

The "Call Home Act of 2006" (S.2653), introduced by Senators Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Daniel Inouye (D-HI), directs the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), in coordination with the Department of Defense, to seek to reduce phone rates for Armed Forces personnel deployed overseas.

The legislation authorizes the FCC to take actions necessary to reduce phone bills for troops deployed overseas, including waiver of government fees, assessments, or other charges. The legislation also directs that new technologies, such as Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP), be evaluated and means to reduce surcharges imposed by foreign governments be implemented.