[20070517]RS22203_海外部队免费邮件.pdf

1 This report originally was authored by Nye Stevens, who has retired from CRS. Readers maycontact Kevin R. Kosar with questions on postal issues. This report will be updated to reflectsignificant legislative developments.Order Code RS22203Updated May 17, 2007Free Mail for Troops OverseasKevin R. KosarAnalyst in American National GovernmentGovernment and Finance DivisionSummaryMembers of the Armed Forces on duty in designated combat areas can sendpersonal correspondence, free of postage, to addresses in the United States. There hasnever been a comparable provision of free postage for letters or packages sent fromfamily members or friends in the United States to loved ones in wartime serviceoverseas. Two bills (H.R. 923 and H.R. 2874) were introduced in the 109th Congressthat would have allowed family members and, in the case of H.R. 2874, certain charitiesto send letters and packages to servicemen and women in combat zones free of postage.Neither were enacted. In the 110th Congress, H.R. 1439 was introduced on March 9,2007. It would provide members of the armed services on active duty in Iraq orAfghanistan with one voucher per month, which they could give to anyone who wishedto sen