Republican freshmen who came to Congress last year promising to transform Washington’s free-spending culture are no different from most other lawmakers in at least one respect: They mailed out millions of taxpayer-funded flyers and brochures during their first year in office.
GOP freshmen sent more than 25.6 million pieces of unsolicited mail last year at a cost of nearly $9.8 million, according to a review of records compiled by the chief administrative officer of the House.
Mississippi Rep. Steven Palazzo, a Republican freshman, ranked 17th among House members in spending on mass mailings.
Rep. Gregg Harper, a Republican serving his second term from Mississippi, reported spending no money on mass mailings during the same period.
Clarion Ledger
5/19/12
