Ending Special Mail Privileges for Congress Act of 2014 - Amends federal postal law to repeal franking privileges for mail transmitted by Members of Congress and congressional officials. Requires the mail to be transmitted as congressional mail.
Replaces requirements and procedures for the use of franked mail with those for congressional mail.
Repeals franked mailing privileges for survivors of Members of Congress.
Requires a former President and his or her surviving spouse to send nonpolitical mail within the United States and its territories and possessions as congressional mail instead of franked mail.
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4872 Introduced in House (IH)]
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4872
To eliminate the use of the frank for mail transmitted by Members of
Congress and Congressional officials, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 17, 2014
Mr. Woodall (for himself and Ms. Duckworth) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration, and
in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a
period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To eliminate the use of the frank for mail transmitted by Members of
Congress and Congressional officials, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Ending Special Mail Privileges for
Congress Act of 2014''.
SEC. 2. REPEAL OF FRANK; REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO THE USE OF
CONGRESSIONAL MAIL.
(a) Repeal of Franking Privilege.--Section 3201 of title 39, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``other than franked
mail'' and inserting ``other than Congressional mail subject to
section 3210 of this title''; and
(2) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4).
(b) Requirements for Mail Transmitted by Members of Congress and
Congressional Officials.--
(1) Policy and intent of congress in sending congressional
mail.--Section 3210(a) of such title is amended as follows:
(A) In paragraph (1), by striking ``as franked
mail'' and inserting ``as Congressional mail''.
(B) In paragraph (3)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``which is frankable'' and
inserting ``which may be sent as Congressional
mail''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (I), by striking
``under the franking privilege'' and inserting
``which is sent as Congressional mail''.
(C) In paragraph (4)--
(i) by striking ``the franking privilege''
and inserting ``the privilege of sending
Congressional mail''; and
(ii) by striking ``franked mail'' and
inserting ``Congressional mail''.
(D) In paragraph (5)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``franked mail'' and inserting
``Congressional mail''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking
``frankable mail'' and inserting
``Congressional mail''.
(E) In paragraph (6), by striking ``franked mail''
each place it appears in subparagraphs (A) and (C) and
inserting ``Congressional mail''.
(2) Authority to send congressional mail.--Section 3210(b)
of such title is amended--
(A) in paragraphs (1) and (3), by striking
``franked mail'' each place it appears and inserting
``Congressional mail''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``the franking
privilege'' and inserting ``the privilege to send
Congressional mail under paragraph (1)''.
(3) Form of congressional mail.--Section 3210(c) of such
title is amended--
(A) by striking ``Franked mail'' the first place it
appears and inserting ``Congressional mail under this
section'';
(B) by striking ``Franked mail'' the second place
it appears and inserting ``Such Congressional mail'';
and
(C) in the second sentence, by striking ``franked
mail'' and inserting ``Congressional mail''.
(4) Form of address; regulations for review of official
status of mail.--Section 3210(d) of such title is amended--
(A) by striking ``franked mail'' each place it
appears in paragraphs (1) through (6) and inserting
``Congressional mail''; and
(B) in paragraph (7), by striking ``Franked mail''
and inserting ``Congressional mail''.
(5) Determination of status of mail by type and content.--
Section 3210(e) of such title is amended by striking ``The
frankability of mail matter shall be determined under the
provisions of this section'' and inserting ``The determination
as to whether mail matter may be sent as Congressional mail
under this section shall be determined''.
(6) Source of funds for sending mail.--Section 3210(f) of
such title is amended--
(A) by striking ``franked mail'' and inserting
``Congressional mail'';
(B) by striking ``an otherwise frankable mass
mailing'' and inserting ``a mass mailing which
otherwise may be sent as Congressional mail''; and
(C) by striking ``is frankable'' and inserting
``may be sent as Congressional mail''.
(7) Exclusion of payments for congressional mail from
treatment as campaign contribution or expenditure.--Section
3210(g) of such title is amended--
(A) by striking ``franked mail mailed under the
frank'' and inserting ``Congressional mail'';
(B) by striking ``Congress, and the cost'' and
inserting ``Congress which is mailed under this
section, and the cost''; and
(C) by striking ``such frankable matter for such
mailing under the frank'' and inserting ``such
Congressional mail for such mailing''.
(8) Conforming amendment to heading.--The heading of
section 3210 of such title is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 3210. Mail transmitted by Members of Congress and congressional
officials''.
(c) Payment for Congressional Mail.--
(1) Payments to postal service from amounts appropriated
for congressional mail costs.--Section 3216(a) of such title is
amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``under the
franking privilege'' and inserting ``as Congressional
mail'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``franked mail''
and inserting ``Congressional mail''; and
(C) by striking the last sentence.
(2) Exclusive source of payments.--Section 3216(c) of such
title is amended by striking ``under the frank'' and inserting
``as Congressional mail which is subject to this section''.
(3) Deposit of funds improperly collected.--Section 3216(d)
of such title is amended by striking ``under the franking
privilege'' and inserting ``as Congressional mail which is
subject to this section''.
(4) Quarterly reports on pieces and costs of congressional
mail.--Section 3216(e)(1) of such title is amended by striking
``franked mail, as defined in section 3201 of this title,'' and
inserting ``Congressional mail which is subject to this
section''.
(5) Conforming amendment to heading.--The heading of
section 3216 of such title is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 3216. Payment for Congressional mail''.
(d) Repeal of Mailing Privileges of Survivors of Members of
Congress.--
(1) Repeal.--Section 3218 of such title is repealed.
(2) Conforming amendment relating to payment.--Section
3216(a)(1) of such title is amended--
(A) by striking ``through the mails--'' and all
that follows through ``under the'' and inserting
``through the mails under the''; and
(B) by striking subparagraph (B).
(3) Conforming amendment relating to role of house
commission on congressional mailing standards.--Section 5(d) of
Public Law 93-191 (2 U.S.C. 501(d)) is amended--
(A) by striking ``3218,''; and
(B) by striking ``(or any individual designated by
the Clerk of the House under section 3218 of title
39)''.
(4) Conforming amendment relating to role of select
committee on standards and conduct of the senate.--Section 6 of
Public Law 93-191 (2 U.S.C. 502(a)) is amended--
(A) by striking ``3218,''; and
(B) by striking ``, surviving spouse of any of the
foregoing,''.
(e) Miscellaneous Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Shipment by most economical means.--Section 3208 of
such title is amended by striking ``other than franked mail''.
(2) Mailing of public documents after expiration of
terms.--Section 3211 of such title is amended by striking
``franked mail'' and inserting ``Congressional mail''.
(3) Congressional record as congressional mail.--Section
3212 of such title is amended--
(A) by striking ``franked mail'' each place it
appears and inserting ``Congressional mail''; and
(B) by amending the heading to read as follows:
``Sec. 3212. Congressional Record as Congressional mail''.
(4) Mailing of seeds and reports from the department of
agriculture after expiration of terms.--Section 3213(2) of such
title is amended by striking ``franked mail'' and inserting
``Congressional mail''.
(5) Mailing privilege of former president and surviving
spouse.--Section 3214 of such title is amended by striking
``franked mail'' and inserting ``Congressional mail''.
(6) Lending or permitting use of frank.--Section 3215 of
such title is amended--
(A) in the heading, by striking ``Lending or
permitting use of frank'' and inserting ``Permitting
others to send Congressional mail''; and
(B) by amending the first sentence to read as
follows: ``A person entitled to send Congressional mail
under this chapter may not permit the sending of such
mail by any committee, organization, or association, or
permit the sending of such mail by any person for the
benefit or use of any committee, organization, or
association.''.
(7) Treatment of certain mailgrams as congressional mail.--
Section 3219 of such title is amended by striking ``franked
mail'' both places it appears and inserting ``Congressional
mail''.
(8) Use of congressional mail in the location and recovery
of missing children.--Section 3220 of such title is amended--
(A) in the heading, by striking ``official'' and
inserting ``Congressional''; and
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ``franked mail''
and inserting ``Congressional mail''.
(f) Clerical Amendments.--(1) The chapter heading and table of
sections at the beginning of chapter 32 of such title are amended to
read as follows:
``CHAPTER 32--PENALTY AND CONGRESSIONAL MAIL
``Sec.
``3201. Definitions.
``3202. Penalty mail.
``3203. Endorsements on penalty covers.
``3204. Restrictions on use of penalty mail.
``3205. Accounting for penalty covers.
``3206. Reimbursement for penalty mail service.
``3207. Limit of weight of penalty mail; postage on overweight matter.
``3208. Shipment by most economical means.
``3209. Executive departments to supply information.
``3210. Mail transmitted by Members of Congress and congressional
officials.
``3211. Public documents.
``3212. Congressional Record as Congressional mail.
``3213. Seeds and reports from Department of Agriculture.
``3214. Mailing privilege of former President; surviving spouse of
former President.
``3215. Permitting others to send Congressional mail unlawful.
``3216. Payment for Congressional mail.
``3217. Correspondence of members of diplomatic corps and consuls of
countries of Postal Union of Americas and
Spain.
``3218. [repealed].
``3219. Mailgrams.
``3220. Use of Congressional mail in the location and recovery of
missing children.''.
(2) The item in the table of chapters at the beginning of part IV
of such title is amended to read as follows:
``32. Penalty and Congressional mail........................ 3201''.
SEC. 3. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS RELATING TO OPERATION OF CONGRESS.
(a) Standards for Mass Mailings by Senators.--
(1) Requiring mass mailings to meet standards for
congressional mail.--Section 5 of the Legislative Branch
Appropriations Act, 1995 (39 U.S.C. 3210 note) is amended by
striking ``under the frank'' and inserting ``mailed as
Congressional mail under chapter 32 of title 39, United States
Code''.
(2) Standards.--Section 6 of such Act (39 U.S.C. 3210 note)
is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``the franking
privilege'' and inserting ``Congressional mail''; and
(B) in subsection (c), by striking ``under the
frank'' and inserting ``as Congressional mail under
chapter 32 of title 39, United States Code''.
(b) Congressional Regulations Regarding Use of Funds for
Congressional Mail.--Section 311 of the Legislative Branch
Appropriations Act, 1991 (2 U.S.C. 503) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``entitled to use the
congressional frank'' each place it appears and inserting
``entitled to send Congressional mail'';
(2) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ``the frank'' and
inserting ``Congressional mail under chapter 32 of title 39,
United States Code'';
(3) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``entitled to use the
congressional frank'' and inserting ``entitled to send
Congressional mail'';
(4) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ``official mail'' and
inserting ``Congressional mail under chapter 32 of title 39,
United States Code,'';
(5) in subsection (c), by striking ``official mail'' and
inserting ``Congressional mail under chapter 32 of title 39,
United States Code,'';
(6) in subsection (d), by striking ``franked mail'' and
inserting ``Congressional mail under chapter 32 of title 39,
United States Code,'';
(7) in subsection (e)--
(A) by striking ``official mail'' each place it
appears and inserting ``Congressional mail under
chapter 32 of title 39, United States Code,''; and
(B) by striking ``entitled to use the congressional
frank'' each place it appears and inserting ``entitled
to send Congressional mail''; and
(8) by amending subsection (g)(2) to read as follows:
``(2) the term `person entitled to send Congressional mail'
means a Senator, Member of the House of Representatives, or
other person authorized to send Congressional mail under
section 3210(b) of title 39, United States Code.''.
(c) Guidance on Appropriate Use of Congressional Mail.--
(1) House commission on congressional mailing standards.--
Section 5 of Public Law 93-191 (2 U.S.C. 501) is amended--
(A) in subsection (d)--
(i) by striking ``franked mail'' each place
it appears and inserting ``Congressional
mail''; and
(ii) by striking ``the franking privilege''
and inserting ``the privilege to send
Congressional mail''; and
(B) in subsection (e)--
(i) in the first sentence, by striking
``franked mail'' and inserting ``Congressional
mail''; and
(ii) in the tenth sentence, by striking
``franking laws'' and all that follows through
``franked mail'' and inserting ``or abuse of
the Congressional mailing laws by any person
listed under subsection (d) of this section as
entitled to send mail as Congressional mail''.
(2) Select committee on standards and conduct of the
senate.--Section 6 of Public Law 93-191 (2 U.S.C. 502) is
amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) by striking ``franked mail'' both
places it appears and inserting ``Congressional
mail''; and
(ii) by striking ``the franking privilege''
and inserting ``Congressional mail''; and
(B) in subsection (c), by striking ``franking
laws'' and all that follows through ``franked mail''
and inserting ``or abuse of the Congressional mailing
laws by any person listed under subsection (a) of this
section as entitled to send mail as Congressional
mail''.
(d) Miscellaneous Conforming Amendments Relating to House of
Representatives.--
(1) Mail privileges of former speakers.--Section 4 of House
Resolution 1238, Ninety-first Congress, as enacted into
permanent law by chapter VIII of the Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 1971 (2 U.S.C. 5127), is amended by
striking ``franked mail'' each place it appears and inserting
``Congressional mail''.
(2) Transportation of official records and papers to house
member's district.--Section 2(2) of House Resolution 1297,
Ninety-fifth Congress, as enacted into permanent law by section
111(1) of the Congressional Operations Appropriations Act, 1984
(2 U.S.C. 5346(b)(2)), is amended by striking ``franked mail''
and inserting ``Congressional mail under chapter 32 of title
39, United States Code''.
(3) Mail privileges of house legislative counsel.--Section
525 of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (2 U.S.C.
282d) is amended by striking ``franked mail'' and inserting
``Congressional mail''.
(e) Miscellaneous Conforming Amendments Relating to Senate.--
(1) Senators' official personnel and office expense
account.--Subsection (a)(6) of the first section of Public Law
100-137 (2 U.S.C. 6313(6)) is amended by striking ``the payment
of franked mail expenses of Senators'' and inserting ``the
payment of expenses of Senators for Congressional mail under
chapter 32 of title 39, United States Code''.
(2) Contingent fund of the senate.--Section 506(a)(3) of
the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1973 (2 U.S.C. 6314(a)(3))
is amended by striking ``(B) postage on'' and all that follows
through ``and (C)''.
(3) Transportation of official records and papers to a
senator's state.--Section 7(d) of the Legislative Branch
Appropriations Act, 2005 (2 U.S.C. 6319(d)) is amended by
striking ``franked mail'' and inserting ``Congressional mail
under chapter 32 of title 39, United States Code''.
(4) Mass mailing information by senators.--Section 320 of
the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1991 (2 U.S.C. 505)
is amended by striking ``under the frank'' and inserting ``as
Congressional mail''.
(5) Inquiries and investigations by senate committees.--
Section 6(b) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1998
(2 U.S.C. 4334) is amended by striking ``franked mail
expenses'' and inserting ``expenses for Congressional mail
under chapter 32 of title 39, United States Code''.
SEC. 4. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS RELATING TO RESPONSIBILITIES OF
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
(a) Time for Distribution of Documents by Members of Congress.--
Section 732 of title 44, United States Code, is amended by striking
``to frank documents'' and inserting ``to send documents as
Congressional mail under chapter 32 of title 39''.
(b) Documents and Reports Ordered by Members of Congress.--Section
733 of such title is amended--
(1) in the heading, by striking ``franks and''; and
(2) by striking the second and third undesignated
paragraphs.
(c) Mailing Congressional Record.--Section 907 of such title is
amended by striking ``franked mail'' and inserting ``Congressional
mail''.
(d) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 7 of
such title is amended by amending the item relating to section 733 to
read as follows:
``733. Documents and reports ordered by Members of Congress; envelopes
for Members of Congress.''.
SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE; REGULATIONS.
(a) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this Act shall apply
with respect to matter mailed during the One Hundred Fourteenth
Congress and each succeeding Congress.
(b) Regulations.--In consultation with the United States Postal
Service, the Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the
Senate shall each revise the regulations governing the treatment of
official mail of the House or Senate (as the case may be) to take into
account the amendments made by this Act.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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