Bipartisan lawmakers establish a caucus aimed at enhancing efficiency in postal service operations as Delivering for America progresses.
The US Postal Service (USPS) has been the subject of recent discussions in Congress, as a bipartisan group of lawmakers have launched a new caucus dedicated to stopping certain reforms that they believe could negatively impact mail delivery.
In the first quarter of this fiscal year, Hawaii stood out as the only state to have exceeded the USPS target of 93% of first-class single-piece mail being delivered on time, according to data from the postal agency's inspector general. However, for the third quarter, half of the states were above the reduced target of 87% on-time delivery, indicating a general improvement in delivery times.
Despite this progress, concerns have been raised about the Delivering for America plan, which involves setting up 60 centralized processing and distribution centers. Members of both parties have expressed concerns, particularly regarding processing facility consolidation, slowed delivery, and stamp price increases.
To address these concerns, two bipartisan bills have been proposed. The Protect Postal Performance Act (H.R. 2103), sponsored by Rep. Nikki Budzinski, aims to limit the USPS' ability to close processing and distribution centers. Meanwhile, the Protect Our Letter Carries Act (H.R. 1065) is proposed to assign federal prosecutors to investigate postal crimes, lengthen sentencing for assaulting USPS workers, and authorize funding for high-security collection boxes and electronic versions of universal mailbox keys.
The lawmakers are opposed to the planned closures of mail sorting facilities in their districts, which are part of the Delivering for America modernization plan. They argue that this plan would result in mail intended for a nearby address needlessly being sent first to a relatively faraway distribution center.
The new Postmaster General of the USPS, David Steiner, has voiced support for his predecessor's plan, saying it is needed to put the agency on sustainable financial footing. However, Rep. James Bergman expressed concerns, stating, "If you can't support the mail, then you're not supporting your constituents."
The Government Accountability Office reported about 600 robberies against postal employees in fiscal 2023, which is a nearly sevenfold increase compared with fiscal 2019. This alarming statistic has prompted calls for increased security measures and harsher penalties for those who assault USPS workers.
The new caucus includes Reps. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.), Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), and James Walkinshaw (D-Va.). The group aims to ensure that the USPS continues to provide reliable, affordable, and secure mail services to all Americans.
As the USPS continues to navigate financial challenges and reform efforts, the work of this bipartisan caucus will be crucial in maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the nation's mail system.
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