[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                REDUCTION OF THE OFFICIAL MAIL ALLOWANCE

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                          HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, February 7, 1995
  Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I am today introducing legislation to reduce 
the official mail allowance of Members of Congress by one-third. I am 
joined in this request by 21 cosponsors. It has long been my opinion 
that the ability of Members of Congress to blanket their constituency 
with unsolicited mass mailings gives them a distinct advantage over 
challengers in congressional elections. The citizens of the Eleventh 
District of Virginia have made it clear to me that Congress needs to 
reform and return itself to its intended purpose as an instrument of 
the people. It is my hope that this legislation will play a key role in 
these reforms.
  In the past, the official mail allowance was determined by 
multiplying the number of addresses in a Member's congressional 
district by the first class postal rate. The current formula allows 
each Member three times the total number of addresses in their 
congressional district. The Committee on House Oversight has been 
responsible for regulating this appropriation; however, preliminary 
figures have shown that Members altogether overspent this allowance by 
approximately $2 million last year. It is clear that we need to take 
stronger action in order to control this appropriation.
  Tomorrow, the Committee on House Oversight will enact regulations 
that will consider cutting the statutory appropriation. My legislation 
will couple this regulation by reducing the number of addresses in the 
formula determining a Member's official mail allowance, resulting in a 
real money difference of approximately $55,000 per Member each year. I 
hope my colleagues and the Committee on House Oversight will support 
our efforts in the fight for this overdue change.


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