House Proposes Free Monthly Mailing

The House version of the fiscal 2007 defense authorization bill would authorize monthly free postage for one parcel weighing up to 15 pounds for service members in Iraq and Afghanistan or hospitalized due to injuries incurred in support of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. The monthly free mailing, which would be effective for one year, could be used for a personal letter weighing 13 ounces or less, or one of the following items weighing 15 pounds or less: a personal audio or video recording; a ground parcel, or bound printed material. The program would be controlled by a voucher or coupon system. To become law, the measure would have to survive action before a House-Senate conference committee.