Clarification -- Use of Senate Internet Site by Campaigning Members prohibited...

[David Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>]

From: jseiger () eff org (Jonah Seiger)


> From Communications Daily, 8/15/94 (reprinted w/o permission):


'Senate Rules Committee is applying rules for mass mailings to posting of
material on computer bulletin boards and Internet.  Panel said that
senators who are candidates can't post official information for 60 days
before a primary election or post material to bulletin boards or Senate's
Internet gopher for 60 days before Nov. general election.'


I just spoke to Garry Winters (the Rules Comm staffer who handles this
issue). He offered the following clarification:


Currently, senators are prohibited from using official mailings (franked
material) for campaign related activities.  This prohibition is in place in
order to avoid the appearance of campaigning at the taxpayers expense as
well as to minimize the incumbent's ability to use his or her office for
purposes of campaigning.


These rules will now apply to Senators who have official senate electronic
mail addresses, or bulletin boards dedicated to their office, or who place
information about their activities on the Senate gopher server.


According to Winters, these rules do not apply to BBS or Internet use by
campaigns. Thus, a Senator who is running for office would not be
prohibited from setting up his or her own BBS or Internet site.  The new
rules apply only to use of gvt. sponsored sites (i.e, supported by funds
appropriated by Congress - such as the Senate Gopher).


If you have any questions about this, let me know.


Jonah


..........................................................................
Jonah Seiger, Project Coordinator                       <jseiger () eff org>
Electronic Frontier Foundation                           202/347-5400 (v)
1001 G St, NW  Suite 950 East                            202/393-5509 (f)
Washington, DC   20001


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