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1 (November 24, 2003)

handle is hein.crs/crsuntaailo0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Order Code RS20720 Updated November 24, 2003 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Congressional Mail: History of the Franking Privilege and Options for Change John S. Pontius Specialist in American National Government Government and Finance Division Summary The congressional franking privilege allows Members of Congress to send official mail at government expense. This report provides a history of official congressional mail sent at government expense (franking privilege), a description of its costs, distribution of franking funds, criticism and defense of franking, past franking reforms, and considerations for possible future franking reform. This report will be updated as legislative actions warrant. See CRS Report RS2067 1, Official Congressional Mail Costs, and CRS Report RS20700, Congressional Franking Privilege: An Overview, by John Pontius. The franking privilege, which allows Members of Congress to send official mail at government expense,' dates from 1660, when it was first instituted by the British House of Commons. In the United States, the First Continental Congress passed legislation in 1775 giving its legislators mailing privileges to better inform their constituents. The franking practice continues in the modern Congress due to the perceived public interest in facilitating official communications between elected officials and the citizens they represent. Proponents of the franking privilege argue that without the privilege most Members could not afford to send important information to their constituents, thereby curtailing the delivery of ideas, reports, assistance, and services. Use of the frank, however, is limited. It may not be used to solicit money or votes. Letters related to political campaigns, political parties, or personal business or friendships are not permitted. For example, a legislator may not use the frank on a holiday greeting, 1 The Member's signature, called the frank, appears in place of a postage stamp or a metered mail mark in the upper right-hand corner of the envelope containing official mail from that Member. This signature is recognized by the U. S. Postal Service as the equivalent cost of a postage stamp for that piece and rate of mail. John Pontius, Franking, in The Encyclopedia of the United States Congress, 4 vols. (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1995), vol. 2, pp. 883- 888. Congressional Research Service **o The Library of Congress

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