The franking commission will no longer use its proverbial red pen to strike festive sentiments from House members’ communications.
Reversing a policy that prohibited “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Hanukkah” from appearing in taxpayer-paid mail, the Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards announced Wednesday a change in course this holiday season.
According to a letter from the House Administration Committee, “effective immediately, Members may include incidental holiday greetings in their official constituent communications.” The new policy still prohibits sending Christmas cards or other communications for the “sole purpose” of expressing a holiday greeting, but simple salutations are allowed.
House Administration Chairwoman Candice S. Miller spread word of the “common-sense” rule change in a video for constituents.
“Since we begin every session of Congress with a prayer, and ‘In God We trust’ is stamped, in stone actually, above the speaker’s chair at the front of the House of Representatives, I just could never understand why such a greeting would not be allowed in communication with my constituents,” said the Michigan Republican, sporting a festive red sweater.
via House Members Can Include ‘Merry Christmas’ in Franked Mail : Roll Call News.
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