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H.R. 5035 101st Congress House

To make Federal elections more competitive, open, and honest by regulating the use of franked mail by Members of the House of Representatives, and for other purposes.

Introduced: June 13, 1990 See on congress.gov
Congress Congressional allowancesCongressional publicityFranking privilegeHouse of RepresentativesHouse rules and procedure
This bill died when the 101st Congress ended
It never became law before the 101st Congress (1989–1990) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 19, 1990
Referred to the Subcommittee on Elections.
Jun 13, 1990
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Jun 13, 1990
Referred to the House Committee on Rules.
Jun 13, 1990
Introduced in House
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 Latest action June 19, 1990

Referred to the Subcommittee on Elections.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends rule XLVI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to exempt a notice of appearance or a scheduled itinerary from the franked mailing limitations only if: (1) it is in the form of a post card; (2) it is sent to addresses within specified travel distance from the event which the Member will attend; (3) the Member attends the event; and (4) an advisory opinion is obtained from the House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards.

Establishes an Official Mail Allowance for franked mailing by Members of the House of Representatives within specified guidelines and limitations.

Amends rule XLVI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to: (1) reduce from six to two the number of franked mailings per year per addressee to which a Member after December 31, 1990, is entitled; (2) reduce from six to two, after such date, the number of franked mailings per year per addressee relating solely to a notice of appearance of a scheduled itinerary of a Member; (3) require a Member, before making any mass mailing (including direct response to communications from constituents), to submit a sample or description of the mail matter involved to the House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards for a statutory compliance advisory opinion; (4) require the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make available for public inspection, semi-annually, a mass mailing report compiled from data provided by the House Committee on Administration; and (5) require that a mass mailing by a Member contain a specified notice on the cover page of the document.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5035: To make Federal elections more competitive, open, and honest by regulating the use of franked mail by Members of the House of Representatives, and for other purposes.. 101st Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-5035/
MLA
"H.R. 5035: To make Federal elections more competitive, open, and honest by regulating the use of franked mail by Members of the House of Representatives, and for other purposes.." 101st Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-5035/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5035, 101st Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-5035/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5035: To make Federal elections more competitive, open, and honest by regulating the use of franked mail by Members of the House of Representatives, and for other purposes.](https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-5035/)
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