Ruppersberger Announces "Operation Hero Miles" Bill Is One Step Closer to Becoming Law

Washington, DC - Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Maryland) today announced that the bill that will make "Operation Hero Miles" permanent is one step closer to becoming law. The legislation is attached to H.R. 4200, the Conference Report on the Department of Defense (DOD) Authorization Bill. It passed the United States House of Representatives today by 359 to 14..

"Operation Hero Miles" is the innovative program that allows Americans to donate their unused frequent flyer miles to servicemen and women and their families. The bill gives the Department of Defense (DOD) the authority and flexibility to give free, unrestricted, last minute plane tickets to military personnel on leave -- to handle an urgent family situation or other unexpected emergency. The legislation also gives DOD the authority to give free plane tickets to family members of wounded troops traveling to visit their injured loved ones at military hospitals around the world.

"The overwhelming response to 'Operation Hero Miles' has been absolutely amazing! Making the program permanent will give patriotic Americans a way to help our men and women in uniform in the future. Whether we're at war, like we are right now, or in times of peace, I believe Americans should have a way to help our troops and this will provide them a way to do that," said Congressman Ruppersberger (D-MD).

Since the program was started 540 million "hero miles" have been donated. That is enough miles for 22,000 free tickets for the troops. The strong support of "Operation Hero Miles" helped Congressman Ruppersberger persuade Congress to change the military regulation and allocate money to pay for these domestic flights for the troops.

The Senate is expected to take up the measure over the weekend. The President must sign the bill before it becomes law.

Related Bill: HR 4200

See Also: Operation Hero Miles

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