A-wa-bam-ba-loo-ba-A-wa-bam-boo!
The term is "franking privilege". It's described in Wikipedia.
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 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.
Send correspondence to their constituents through the public mails free of charge
Franking privilege
Franking Privilege