Honesty in Sweepstakes Act of 1998

Subcommittee on International Security. Hearings held.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jun 5, 1998

Honesty in Sweepstakes Act of 1998 - Amends Federal postal law to prohibit delivery of any mail constituting a solicitation or offer in connection with a sales promotion for a product or service that uses any game of chance offering anything of value (including any sweepstakes) or anything resembling a negotiable instrument, unless specified notices in a specified font are printed on the envelope and enclosed material. States that nothing in this Act shall preempt any State law that regulates advertising or sales of goods and services associated with any game of chance.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Campbell, Ben Nighthorse [R-CO] · R–CO

Committees

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Sep 1, 1998
Subcommittee on International Security. Hearings held.
Jun 30, 1998
Referred to Subcommittee on International Security.
Jun 5, 1998
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
Jun 5, 1998
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5699-5700)
Jun 5, 1998
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Jun 5, 1998 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 4340 · Honesty in Sweepstakes Act of 1998

Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.2141 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.2141, 105th Congress: Honesty in Sweepstakes Act of 1998

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/2141

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1998-06-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s2141/BILLS-105s2141is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:13:45Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.2141 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.2141 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.2141, 105th Congress: Honesty in Sweepstakes Act of 1998

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/2141

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1998-06-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s2141/BILLS-105s2141is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:13:45Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2141 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.2141 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.2141, 105th Congress: Honesty in Sweepstakes Act of 1998

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/2141

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1998-06-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s2141/BILLS-105s2141is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:13:45Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2141 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.2141 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.2141, 105th Congress: Honesty in Sweepstakes Act of 1998

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/2141

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1998-06-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s2141/BILLS-105s2141is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:13:45Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2141 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.