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Those who voted against the franking abolition were divided equally among both Republicans and Democrats, mostly from the Southern states. A bill to cut spending on Public Printing was introduced to the House, however, this failed to gain a two-thirds majority to pass. The abolition of the franking privilege would be effective on July 1, 1873. [13]
Privileges include having an office and paid staff. [16] Generally, members who have been in Congress longer have greater seniority and therefore greater power. [16] Members elected since 1984 are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Those elected prior to 1984 were covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). In ...
Members of Congress were also supposed to pay for their own residences while in Washington, where rents had increased as much as 25% since the Civil War. When President Grant abolished the franking privilege, a considerable yearly sum for government officials who frequently corresponded, their expenses increased further. [9]
At the time, Congress was under siege for what was widely perceived as abuse of members' franking privileges. [36] In April, the House had approved H.R. 3180 to clarify what was and was not proper use of franking, and the Senate amended the bill on October 11. The House requested a conference, but the Senate delayed.
The 37th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. , from March 4, 1861, to March 4, 1863, during the first two years of Abraham Lincoln 's presidency . [ 1 ]
They receive compensation, benefits, and franking privileges (the ability to send outgoing U.S. mail without a stamp) similar to full House members. [5] The rules governing the rights of a non-voting member are set forth in the House Rules adopted in each congress (i.e., every two years).
On February 5, 1870, Tyner made his first House speech, in which he advocated for ending the Congressional Franking Privilege. [5] President Grant's Postmaster General John Creswell also advocated the end of franking, but efforts to eliminate it failed, and members of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate continued to send franked mail for free.
1840 (UK) Postally franked German Air Mail cover (Berlin-Buenos Aires via D-LZ127 Graf Zeppelin (1934)) "Postage" franking is the physical application and presence of postage stamps, or any other markings recognized and accepted by the postal system or systems providing service, which indicate the payment of sufficient fees for the class of service which the item of mail is to be or had been ...