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H.R. 71 104th Congress House

To reduce the Official Mail Allowance of Members of the House and to prohibit certain other mailing practices, and for other purposes.

Introduced: January 4, 1995 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 104th Congress ended
It never became law before the 104th Congress (1995–1996) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 24, 1995
Referred to the Subcommittee on Postal Service.
Jan 4, 1995
Referred to the Committee on House Oversight, and in addition to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, 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.
Jan 4, 1995
Introduced in House
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 Latest action January 24, 1995

Referred to the Subcommittee on Postal Service.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1991 to revise the formula for the Official Mail Allowance (thereby reducing the amount allowed) for Members of the House of Representatives.

Repeals provisions authorizing a Member of the House from transferring amounts from his or her Official Expenses Allowance and Clerk Hire Allowance to his or her Official Mail Allowance.

Prohibits any: (1) Member of Congress from sending any unsolicited franked mail postmarked fewer than 60 days immediately before any primary or general election in which such Member is a candidate; and (2) Representative who is a candidate for any other public office from sending unsolicited franked mail outside his or her congressional district.

Defines "unsolicited mailing" as all mail other than mail that is: (1) in direct response to a communication from a person to whom the matter is mailed; (2) from a Member of Congress to other Members; (3) of a news release to the communications media; or (4) in furtherance of the administrative duties of the Members of Congress.

Requires the Clerk of the House to include (by separate category) the costs relating to franked, first class mass mailings in the statement made available to the public concerning the costs charged against the Official Mail Allowance for each person entitled to use the congressional frank.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 71: To reduce the Official Mail Allowance of Members of the House and to prohibit certain other mailing practices, and for other purposes.. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-71/
MLA
"H.R. 71: To reduce the Official Mail Allowance of Members of the House and to prohibit certain other mailing practices, and for other purposes.." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-71/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 71, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-71/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 71: To reduce the Official Mail Allowance of Members of the House and to prohibit certain other mailing practices, and for other purposes.](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-71/)
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