The Nation : Mailings Called ‘Scandal’

Sen. Pete Wilson (R-Calif.), striking at what he called “congressional self-promotion at the taxpayers’ expense,” introduced a bill that would ban the newsletters members of the House and Senate mail to their constituents. Wilson’s bill would eliminate government funds for the newsletters, which are expected to cost $146.2 million this year. One supporter of the measure, Sen. John C. Danforth (R-Mo.) called that sum a “scandal.” Wilson denied that his move was intended, at least in part, to embarrass his fellow California senator, Democrat Alan Cranston, who spent $1.6 million on newsletters in the three months ended last Sept. 30, more than any other senator.