Government affairs

This week, the Senate began consideration of the Postal Service Reform Act (H.R. 3076). On Monday, 74 senators voted to proceed and begin debate of the bipartisan bill, which passed in the House of Representatives on Feb. 8.

As the bill moves through the Senate consideration process, amendments are expected to be offered. NALC continues to support a clean passage of this bill in the Senate, which mirrors the legislation passed in the House last month.

H.R. 3076 is a bipartisan bill that will improve the financial stability of the Postal Service. It includes key provisions for letter carriers, including one that eliminates the mandate that requires the Postal Service to pre-fund its retiree health care benefits decades in advance, and another that codifies six-day mail delivery in federal law. This will eliminate the need to renew the six-day requirement every year through the congressional appropriations process. The bill also maximizes the integration of future postal annuitants into Medicare.

“The Postal Service is one of our nation’s oldest and most trusted institutions, it serves as a critical lifeline for millions of Americans, including seniors and veterans, and rural communities who expect the Postal Service to deliver vital mail, including supplies and medications,” Chairman Gary Peters (D-MI) said. “However, for more than fifteen years, this public service and its dedicated workers, have been hindered by burdensome financial requirements. The need to quickly pass these balanced reforms, which are broadly supported by the American people, has become increasingly urgent.”

“Everybody cares about the post office and wants to be sure it is working well and working efficiently. It is not a partisan issue; it is of importance to all Americans—young, old, urban, rural, everybody,” Ranking Member Rob Portman (R-OH) said. “I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill. Let’s put the post office in a position to succeed and provide those essential services that small businesses, veterans, and rural constituents rely on so much.”

“This postal reform legislation has been over a decade in the making,” Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said. “These reforms will help to improve service for veterans, small businesses, rural communities, seniors, and millions of Americans who rely on the Postal Service for medicines, essential goods, voting, correspondence, and for their livelihoods.”

“NALC was pleased that the Postal Service Reform Act passed in the House with strong bipartisan support,” NALC President Fredric Rolando said. “But the job is not finished. We urge the Senate to pass H.R. 3076 as soon as possible and send it to President Biden’s desk.”

“I am grateful to all NALC members who have lobbied their members of Congress to support this bill, and I encourage you to continue contacting your senators and urge them to vote for the bill’s passage.”

You can contact your senators by calling 844-959-1425. For more information, visit NALC’s Legislative Action Center.