Lawmakers in the House urge the United States Postal Service to justify the termination of postal contracts for specific units.
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is facing criticism from lawmakers over its plans to close dozens of contract post offices (CPUs) across the country. Reps. George Whitesides and Rick Allen have introduced the bipartisan Contract Postal Unit Transparency Act in an attempt to bring transparency to the process and ensure continued access to postal services in affected areas.
Reps. Whitesides and Allen have claimed that the Postal Service has consistently ignored requests for hard data and explanations for closing CPUs in their districts. The representatives are concerned that the closures may increase wait times at local post offices and put unnecessary strain on customer service operations.
One such closure that has drawn particular attention is the Quartz Hill CPU in Whitesides' district, which has served the community since 1952. Whitesides has expressed concern over its sudden closure and its potential impact on elderly residents and increased travel distances for constituents. Similarly, Allen complained about the abrupt closure of a USPS substation at the Surrey Center Pharmacy in Augusta.
The bipartisan Contract Postal Unit Transparency Act, co-sponsored by Reps. Frank Mrvan, D-Indiana, and Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon, was submitted in Congress on September 12, 2025. If passed, the bill would require the USPS to publicly report on the impact of CPU closures on residents and hold public hearings on each planned closure.
CPUs are mini post offices inside privately-owned facilities that provide postal products and services. The USPS argues that the changes are being made to save money because nearby postal facilities can serve the communities. However, critics argue that CPUs provide vital services in smaller communities and that the closures could lead to increased wait times and decreased customer service.
In June, the USPS notified Pony Express, Delta Sonic, and Kraus Department Store in Erie, Pennsylvania, that their contracts will be terminated. A CPU in Tacoma, Washington, has mounted a petition drive to stop the closure, with businesses and residents claiming better service than at a traditional post office.
Several retail USPS locations in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, will cease operations at the end of the month, according to Dakota News Now. The closures have drawn criticism from lawmakers, who say they provide vital services in smaller communities.
Whitesides and Allen have urged the new Postmaster General, David Steiner, to reconsider the closures and provide detailed explanations for the decisions. The representatives believe that the closures should not be made without proper scrutiny and public input.
The bill comes at a time when the USPS is facing financial challenges and is looking to cut costs. However, Whitesides and Allen argue that the closures could have unintended consequences for the communities they serve and that the public deserves to know why the closures are happening and what alternatives were considered.
The legislation is a step towards ensuring transparency and accountability in the USPS's decision-making process and ensuring that communities have access to reliable postal services. The bill is currently making its way through Congress and is expected to be debated in the coming weeks.
