FRANKING PRIVILEGES OF OUR LEGISLATORS

How many of you know what “Franking Privileges” are? This is a real “thorn in her side” for my sister. We all are convinced that our Congressional representatives abuse their position with privileges and this is one area that really bothers my sister (rightfully so).

Definition:

The congressional franking privilege allows Members of Congress to transmit mail matter under their signature without postage.

What I did not know: (This info may be a little boring but I found it informative).

Congress, through legislative appropriations, reimburses the U.S. Postal Service for the franked mail it handles. Use of the frank is regulated by federal law, House and Senate rules, and committee regulations.

Reform efforts during the past 20 years have reduced overall franking expenditures by almost 70%, to $34.3 million in 2006 from $113.4 million in 1988.

Although Members are prohibited from sending mass mailings for specific periods prior to elections, they do send higher volumes of mail in the months immediately preceding the prohibited period

In the Senate, each Senator’s franked mail postage allowance is determined by a formula that gives a maximum allowance equal to the cost of one first-class mailing to every address in the Senator’s state. Senators are, however, limited to $50,000 for mass mailings (defined as 500 or more identical pieces of unsolicited mail) in any fiscal year.

In the House, the franked mail postage allowance is based on the number of addresses in each Member’s district. Each Representative’s mail allowance is combined with allowances for office staff and official office expenses to form a Member’s Representational Allowance (MRA). Members may spend any portion of their MRA on franked mail, subject to law and House regulations. Within the limits of their MRA, House Members are not restricted as to the total amount they may spend on mass mailings.

I used to think that Franking by our Congressional Representatives was completely free and that they were, in essence, adding to the deficit that our U.S. Postal System was experiencing. I now know that is not completely true. I do, still, believe that there are abuses to the privilege. 

Ok, you have just had your Civics/Government class for today. Hope you got an “A”. 

My goal is to learn something new every day. Hopefully, I have enlightened a few of you, as I have been enlightened. And so the journey begins...