Order Code 98-963 GOV
Updated September 14, 2004
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Selected Privileges and Courtesies
Extended to Departing and Former Senators
Mildred Amer
Specialist in American National Government
Government and Finance Division
Summary
This report provides information on selected privileges and courtesies (with the
exception of federal health insurance, life insurance, and retirement benefits) extended
to departing and former Senators. Some are derived from law and Senate Rules, but
most are courtesies that have been extended as a matter of custom. For additional
information, please refer to CRS Report 98-962, Selected Privileges and Courtesies
Extended to Departing and Former Members of the House; CRS Report RL30631,
Retirement Benefits of Members of Congress; and CRS Report 96-585, Health Benefits
for Members of Congress. This report will be updated periodically as appropriate.
Privileges and Courtesies
Information on the privileges and courtesies accorded former Senators has been
compiled in consultation with the staff of the Senate Library. Other sources included the
offices of the Secretary of the Senate, Senate Sergeant at Arms, Senate Parliamentarian,
Senate Postmaster, Senate Historian, and Senate Stationery Store; the Senate Disbursing
Office; and the Washington National Records Center of the National Archives and
Records Administration.1
(1) Floor Privileges. Former Senators, with some exceptions, are entitled to
admission to the floor of the Senate while it is in session (Senate Rule XXIII). For
example, Senators who, upon leaving office, become registered lobbyists under the
Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946 or any successor statute, or who are
employed or retained for the purpose of influencing legislation, are prohibited from
1 See also U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, U.S. Senate Edition
Congressional Handbook, S. Prt. 104-64, 104th Cong., 1st Sess. (Washington: GPO, 1996), pp.
I-89 through I-101; and Congressional Management Foundation, “Management Guidance for
Closing a Congressional Office,” available at [http://www.cmfweb.org/OfficeMgmtClosing.asp],
visited Aug. 26, 2004.
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

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lobbying Members, officers, or employees of the Senate for one year after leaving office
and are thus prohibited from lobbying on the Senate floor (Senate Rule XXXVII, clause
8).2
By tradition, former Senators are also accorded floor privileges in the House of
Representatives, including joint meetings and sessions of Congress.
(2) Purchase of Office Equipment. The Senate Sergeant at Arms may sell
Senators leaving office any item of office equipment located in their Washington, DC, or
state offices, subject to certain restrictions. The equipment must have reached the end of
its expected useful life and been declared surplus to the needs of the Senate by the
Sergeant at Arms at least 30 days prior to the end of a Senator’s tenure. Questions
regarding the purchase of Senate office equipment should be directed to the Order
Services Division of the Sergeant at Arms (202-224-6751).
(3) Purchase of State Office Furnishings. Within 30 days of leaving office,
a departing Senator has the option to purchase through the Sergeant at Arms any
furnishings provided by the General Services Administration (GSA) in one home state
office (2 U.S.C. § 59(b)). The purchase shall be at depreciated fair market value prices
and in accordance with regulations prescribed by GSA. Questions regarding such
purchases should be directed to the State Office Liaison Division of the Sergeant at Arms
(202-224-5409).
(4) Purchase of Senate Chamber Chair. A departing Senator may purchase
his or her Senate chamber chair upon written request to the Senate Sergeant at Arms.
Staff may purchase the chair as a gift for a Senator, but must make a written request to the
Sergeant at Arms. The name plate on each Senator’s desk in the Senate chamber is either
automatically mailed to the Senator by the Sergeant at Arms when he or she leaves office,
or, upon request, mounted on the back of the purchased chamber chair. Questions
regarding the purchase of a chamber chair should be directed to the Capitol Facilities
Office of the Sergeant at Arms (202-224-4171).
(5) Storage/Shipment of Inactive Office Files. While a Senator is in office,
the Washington National Records Center in Suitland, MD, stores inactive office files
2 Under the Ethics Reform Act of 1989 (P.L. 101-194), all Members of Congress are prohibited,
for one year after leaving office, from lobbying or making advocacy contacts with any Member,
officer, or employee of either house of Congress or any employee of a legislative office (18
U.S.C. § 207(e)).
In addition, the Ethics Reform Act of 1989 prohibits any Member of Congress, for one year after
leaving office, from representing an official foreign entity before the United States, or aiding or
advising such entity with the intent to influence any decision of an agency or employee of the
United States Government (18 U.S.C. § 207(f)). There is a further restriction on any Member
who worked personally and substantially on a treaty or trade negotiation and who had access to
information that is not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. A former
Senator is prohibited from using such information for one year after leaving office for the
purpose of aiding, assisting, advising, or representing anyone other than the United States
regarding such trade or treaty negotiation (18 U.S.C. § 207(b)(1)).

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under a storage program authorized by the National Archives and Records
Administration.
By mid-December before leaving office in January, a departing Senator is obligated
to remove his or her papers from the Records Center. At a Senator’s written request, the
National Archives will return the papers, destroy them, or prepare them for shipping.
Records can be sent to a designated library or educational institution, a state archives or
historical society, or a private residence. Senators are requested to notify the Records
Center about what should be done with the stored records. The Center will prepare the
records for shipment when a transfer is desired, but cannot pay the shipping costs. For
additional information, Senators should call the Washington National Records Center
(301-778-1650).
(6) Archival Disposition of Office Files. The Senate Historical Office (202-
224-6900), upon request, will confer with offices about processing and planning for the
disposition of a Senator’s papers. The Historical Office has prepared a publication, The
Records Management Handbook (Senate Publication 108-10), which provides advice to
current and former Senators about the management of office papers and records.
(7) Franking Privilege. Former Senators are authorized to use the frank for 90
days immediately after they leave office. Only official matters relating to the closing of
their offices are frankable (39 U.S.C. § 3210(b)(c)). Anything sent under the frank should
be mailed from the former Senator’s home state or Washington, DC. Any questions
should be directed to the Senate Select Committee on Ethics (202-224-2981).
(8) Other Mailing Service. The Senate Post Office will forward mail until
January 31 of the year following a Senator’s departure. For Senators who leave before
the end of a session, the Post Office will forward mail for up to one year. Any questions
regarding mail service for former Senators should be directed to the Senate Post Office
(202-224-5353).
(9) Use of the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS provides
reference and research assistance on a limited basis to former Members of Congress.
They may use the LaFollette Congressional Reading Room (LM-204), Product
Distribution Center (LM-206), and Research Centers. Services available at these
locations include reference collections and assistance in the use of Library of Congress
materials and resources. Former Members may also receive CRS general distribution
products, responses to reference questions, and guidance for undertaking further research
and analysis. CRS cannot undertake original research for former Members. Former
Members may request CRS assistance in person, by telephone (202-707-5700), by fax
(202-707-6745), or in writing to Daniel P. Mulhollan, Director, Congressional Research
Service, Washington, DC 20540-7000. Former congressional staff may use the Library
of Congress public reading rooms, but are not permitted to use the LaFollette
Congressional Reading Room or other CRS facilities. For additional information, contact
Robert Newlen, head of the CRS Legislative Relations Office (202-707-4313).
(10) Use of the Library of Congress. Borrowing privileges at the Library of
Congress are available to former Senators whose accounts are clear and who are residing
in the Washington, DC area. The telephone number of the loan division is 202-707-5445.
The Library is unable to make deliveries to former Members.

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(11) Priority in Committee Testimony. When testifying before a congressional
committee, a former Senator frequently is permitted to testify immediately after
incumbent Members of Congress and before other witnesses.
(12) Parking at the Capitol Complex. Upon request by a former Senator, the
Senate Parking Office (202-224-8888) will issue a parking permit for any Senate-
controlled outdoor parking area. The permit must be displayed on a car dashboard. No
permit is available for indoor parking, but arrangements can frequently be made on a day-
to-day basis by calling the Senate Rules Committee (202-224-6352).
Other traditional benefits and courtesies extended to a former Senator include:
! Services from the Senate Disbursing Office, including check cashing and
the purchase of traveler’s checks and assistance with retirement and other
benefits;
! Use of the Senate Credit Union;
! Permanent ID from the Senate Sergeant at Arms;
! Limited use of various Senators’ dining facilities;
! Use of the Senate Library, including borrowing privileges;
! Documents from the Senate document room upon personal request of the
former Senator;
! Purchasing privileges in the Senate Stationery Room; and
! Membership in the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress.

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