[Question Concerning Violation of Antideficiency Act]

Questions were raised as to whether the Antideficiency Act is violated when the costs for delivering congressionally franked mail exceeds the amount appropriated in a given fiscal year. GAO determined that no violation of the act occurs when the cost of handling franked mail exceeds the amount Congress appropriated, because laws authorize a lump-sum full payment to the Postal Service for all matter mailed under the frank. However, since there are no appropriations for additional costs in handling franked mail, the Postal Service is entitled to receive no more than the amount already appropriated, as reduced by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act. Accordingly, the Antideficiency Act is inapplicable to the Postal Service when it bills Congress for handling franked mail.