Mike Kelly Calls for Dahlkemper to Use Campaign Funds to Return Franking Money to Treasury
Press Release
Mike Kelly (R-Butler) held several news conferences in the 3rd Congressional District on Friday calling on Congresswoman Dahlkemper to explain her Congressional office's latest taxpayer paid "franked" mail pieces and called on her campaign committee to return the money from the last three mailers to the Treasury. Additionally, Kelly pledged that if elected, his Congressional office will disclose all office expenses monthly on his Congressional web site.
"Franking privileges exist for Members of Congress to communicate with their constituents on important federal services, to announce public meetings and other critical federal business," said Kelly. "However, the Congresswoman's last three franked mail pieces appear to be nothing more than taxpayer funded campaign mail. She needs to be held accountable for this abuse of taxpayer money and should return the money to the treasury from the campaign war chest her campaign likes to brag about." Through March 31, the office of Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper has spent $128,321.80 on franked mail since being elected to Congress (source: disbursements.house.gov). Expenses for her office's last three mail pieces have not yet been disclosed. Last month, Kelly's campaign called on Mrs. Dahlkemper to disclose the cost of these mailers. "Now more than ever, people need to have faith that their elected representatives are good stewards of their money and are acting in the best interest of the people they represent," continued Kelly. "These mailers don't even come close to passing the smell test." Kelly pledged that if elected, his office will disclose all office expenses on his Congressional web site to ensure transparency and accountability to voters in the 3rd district. Additionally, Kelly pledged that he will only use franked mail to announce important federal services or public notices and meetings.
"It may not be standard practice to consistently disclose office expenses to taxpayers and to use franking privileges responsibly, but it should be. I think sometimes Members of Congress forget it's not their money, it's the taxpayers' money they are spending," concluded Kelly.
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