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franking privilege
franking privilege
franking .
"Privilege" franking is a personally pen-signed or printed facsimile signature of a person with a "franking privilege" such as certain government officials (especially legislators) and others designated by law or Postal Regulations. This allows the letter or other parcel to be sent without the application of a postage stamp. In the United States this is called the "Congressional frank" which can only be used for "Official Business".
Franking Privilege
Members of Congress have the privilege of sending mail postage-free through the Congressional franking privilege. This privilege allows them to substitute their signature in place of a postage stamp. This special privilege is granted to members as a way to facilitate their official correspondence with constituents and other government entities.
"Privilege" franking is a personally pen-signed or printed facsimile signature of a person with a "franking privilege" such as certain government officials (especially legislators) and others designated by law or Postal Regulations. This allows the letter or other parcel to be sent without the application of a postage stamp. In the United States this is called the "Congressional frank" which can only be used for "Official Business".
The franking privilege is best described as the ability of certain government officials to send mail without postage. This privilege is typically granted to elected officials to communicate with their constituents.
The Franklin privilege, which is known now as The Franking privilege and which was introduced in 1775, allows members of Congress to send mail to their constituents at no cost to them. By affixing their name to the corner of an envelope where traditionally a stamp would go (a practice known as franking), Congressional representatives do not have to pay postage for mailings, a great cost savings to them.
"Franking" refers to the ability to send mail cost free without paying postage. In the US, members of Congress all enjoy a 'franking privilege" and mail sent from them using this privilege has their signature (or a facsimile of it) in the area where the stamp would normally be affixed. It was instituted in the early days of the US to allow members of Congress to communicate freely with their constituents back home without having to go to the personal expense of paying postage for the letters.
Send correspondence to their constituents through the public mails free of charge
Franking privilege