A: An Advisory Opinion is an opinion issued by the Commission as to whether or not a proposed unsolicited mass mailing/communication is in compliance with the applicable provisions of law and House Rules and Regulations and whether it is eligible for distribution.

A: The Commission reviews unsolicited mass mailings and communications. A mass mailing/communication is an unsolicited distribution of material initiated by a Member to his/her constituency totaling 500 or more pieces of substantially identical content, whether such pieces are deposited to as single distribution or in bulk, or at the same time (single drop) or different times (cumulative) over the course of a session of Congress. The term "mass mailing" and "mass communication" do not apply to:

• Mailings/communications in direct response to mail/communications from persons to whom the matter is transmitted, i.e., a solicited response.
• Communications sent to a list of “subscribed” recipients
• Unsolicited Mailings/communications sent to less than 500 recipients
• Digital communications where the direct cost was less than $500 (effective, January 7, 2020)
• Mailings/communications to other Members of Congress and/or to Federal, State, and/or local government officials; and
• Mailings/communications of news releases to the communications media.

A: The House Communication Standards Commission fully launched the digital system for 2018. All prior year’s Advisory Opinions are available through in-person visits to the Legislative Resource Center in the Cannon House Office Building.

A: Member may not send unsolicited mass mailings or (most) communications during the 90 days immediately preceding the date of any election (primary, general, special, or run off) in which the Member’s name will appear on the ballot as a candidate for election or re-election to any public office. For more information on Franking blackouts, please visit the Committee on House Administration’s website here.