Ruppersberger Announces "Operation Hero Miles" Bill Unanimously Passed the Senate
The bill gives the Department of Defense (DOD) the authority and flexibility to give free, unrestricted, last minute plane tickets to servicemen and women 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.
"Our men and women in uniform are risking their lives for our country in Iraq, Afghanistan, and in other locations around the world. Their service is to be commended. I believe making 'Operation Hero Miles' permanent is the least we can do to make their personal lives a little easier. Service members will be able to quickly fly home to handle an emergency and military family members will be able to quickly fly to see their injured loved one without worrying about how much it will cost. We believe this legislation will make a big difference in the lives of our military families in the years come," said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).
"I commend Senator Talent's initiative on this issue. He is a true advocate for our servicemen and women fighting for our country around the globe. It is wonderful to have a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers working to make the 'Operation Hero Miles' Bill become law," said Congressman Ruppersberger.
The bill gives DOD the authority to collect unused frequent flyer miles, mileage credits, or free tickets and designates an office to manage "Operation Hero Miles." In just five months, 534 million 'hero miles' have been donated. That is enough miles for 22,000 free tickets for the troops.
The Senate Defense Authorization Bill will now go to Conference where differences between the House and Senate versions will be worked out.
HR 4130: Operation Hero Miles Act of 2004
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