[20050301]RS20671_国会官方邮件费用.pdf

1 In the 1980s, the costs of the franking privilege rose with the increased use of computergenerated mail and mass mailings (newsletters, town meeting notices, and other mailings of 500or more pieces that were of substantially identical content). Part of the higher mail costs weredue to rising postal rates. First class mail rates increased 146% from 15 cents in 1980 to 37cents in 2002. Standard mail (formerly third class) rates increased 122% from 6.7 cents in 1980to 14.9 cents in 2002. 2 In the United States the use of the frank began with the First Continental Congress, whichpassed legislation in 1775 giving its legislators free mailing privileges to better inform theirconstituents.3 John Samuels 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 The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20671Updated March 1, 2005Congressional Official Mail CostsJohn S. PontiusSpecialist in American National GovernmentGovernment and Finance DivisionSummaryThe congressional franking privilege allows Members of Congress to send officialmai