[20040826]RS20700_国会印花税特权：概述.pdf

1 The word “frank” is derived from Middle English, meaning “free or generous,” and originallyfrom the Latin “francus,” also meaning “free.” In contemporary practice, the Memberssignature, called the frank, appears in the upper right-hand corner of envelopes containing officialmail from that Member. It is recognized by the U. S. Postal Service as the equivalent of a postagestamp or a metered mail mark. John Samuels Pontius, “Franking,” in The Encyclopedia of theUnited States Congress, 4 vols. (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1995), vol. 2, pp. 883-888.Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20700Updated August 26, 2004Congressional Franking Privilege:An OverviewJohn S. PontiusSpecialist in American National GovernmentGovernment and Finance DivisionSummaryThe congressional franking privilege, which allows Members of Congress to sendofficial mail to their constituents at government expense, dates from 1775, when it wasapproved by the First Continental Congress. The frank (the Members autographic orfacsimile signature), is used instead of stamps. Congress, through legislative branchappropriations, reimburses th