IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077
(ST. LOUIS, MO.) March 16, 2010 –Rep. Russ Carnahan recently mailed some 152,000 color brochures on health care reform to constituents of Missouri’s 3rd Congressional district. A number of people have voiced concerns about the mailing. They were targeted to two separate groups, seniors and then the general population. While no one believes a member of Congress should be banned from mailing constituents on important matters, a number of folks question the timing, transparency, and tax dollars used on Carnahan’s recent communication. They have asked his opponent, candidate Ed Martin, to look into the matter.
Today Ed Martin sent a letter of inquiry to the Committee on House Administration; U.S. House of Representatives asking for clarification on Carnahan’s franking. “I’ve had a number of constituents come to me with concerns that Carnahan is using frank mail to try and force health care reform upon them. People don’t want a government takeover of health care no matter how many pretty pictures or amount of fancywording used to try and sell it. And they don’t want their tax dollars used on selling them something they don’t want,” said Ed Martin.
Carnahan’s 11×6, multiple page mailing looks like a sales brochure and at a cost to taxpayers. Just one mailing from Carnahan cost the people almost $32,000. (House Document 111-86 Oct. 1, 2009-De.31 2009) In the interest of addressing the concerns of the constituents Ed Martin has asked the Committee for a report. He’s also respectfully requested Carnahan hold off on any more mass mailings until the issue isresolved.
For more information about Martin’s background and the campaign, visit EdMartinforCongress.com, or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @ed4congress.
Theresa Petry
Press Secretary
“Ed Martin for Congress”
(314) 807-7077 (cell)
theresa.petry@edmartinforcongress.com
www.edmartinforcongress.com
