Selected Privileges and Courtesies Extended to Former Members of Congress
Released: 2014-12-05T00:00:00

After Members of the House or Senate leave office, they are afforded certain courtesies and privileges. Some are derived from law and chamber rules, but others are courtesies that have been extended as a matter of custom. Some of these privileges and courtesies include the following:

access to the floor of the chamber in which a former Member served. short-term franking privileges. Former Members of Congress are authorized to use the frank for 90 days immediately after they leave office, only for official matters relating to the closing of their offices. access to parking facilities and athletic or wellness facilities, subject to some restrictions. access to House or Senate administrative services and dining facilities. access to materials through the Congressional Research Service (CRS) and the Library of Congress.

House of Representatives

Former Members of the House are entitled to admission to the floor of the House while it is in session. A former Member of the House is not entitled to the privilege of the House floor if he or she (1) becomes a registered lobbyist or the agent of a foreign principal as defined by the House; (2) has any direct personal or pecuniary interest in any legislative measure pending before the House or reported by any committee of the House; (3) or is employed for the purpose of influencing, directly or indirectly, the passage, defeat, or amendment of any legislative proposal. The Speaker may promulgate regulations that exempt ceremonial or educational functions from these restrictions.

Former Members of the House may have access, for a fee, to Member exercise facilities, including the Members' wellness facility. Any former Member who is a registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign principal, or who is employed or retained for the purpose of influencing legislation, is not entitled to this courtesy.

Other privileges and courtesies extended to former Members of the House include the following:

parking in House parking facilities, as space is available; assistance with retirement and other benefits from the Office of Members' Services; membership in the Wright Patman Congressional Federal Credit Union; permanent House of Representatives ID card from the Clerk of the House; use of the collections in the House Legislative Resource Center and Senate Library without borrowing privileges; use of the House Document Room; seating in the House restaurant facilities and Members' dining room; and membership in the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress.

Senate

Former Senators are entitled to admission to the floor of the Senate while it is in session. A former Senator who becomes a registered lobbyist, agent of a foreign principal, or is employed to influence legislation, is denied floor privileges except for ceremonial functions and events designated by the majority leader and minority leader, pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Former Senators may obtain a permit allowing them to park in outdoor lots controlled by the Senate. For a fee, former Senators are allowed to use the Senate athletic facilities. Any former Senator who is a registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign principal, or who is employed or retained for the purpose of influencing legislation, is not entitled to these courtesies.

Other privileges and courtesies extended to former Senators include the following:

services from the Senate Disbursing Office, including check cashing privileges and assistance with retirement and other benefits; use of the Senate Credit Union; permanent ID from the Senate Sergeant at Arms; limited use of the Senate Dining Room; 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.