Making laws
franking privilege
A member's right to send official mail to constituents at government expense, using a signature in place of a stamp. Regulated, and barred close to elections.
In full
The frank dates to the First Congress and exists so representatives can communicate with the people they represent. Because it is also an incumbency advantage, it is hedged: content must be official rather than political, mass mailings are reviewed by a commission, and mass communications are prohibited in the days before a member's own election.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.