Congress Turning To Social Media As Use Of Mail Privileges Declines

Maryland's U.S. Congressional delegation spent more than $1.1 million sending official mail through the U.S. Postal Service, requiring only their signatures to reach constituents from 2010 through the first quarter of 2013, according to an analysis by The Frederick News-Post.

Called “franked mail,” the practice is a privilege about as old as the legislative body itself. It is used by Congress to send official mail, most often in the form of a mass mailing of 500 pieces or more, Franking Commission spokesman Steve Dutton said.

“The frank is basically like a stamp,” Dutton said. “It's their way of being identified as sending it out.”]
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