Cummings Issues Statement in Response to Postal Service Decision to Slow Facility Closures

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, issued the following statement in response to the announcement yesterday that the U.S. Postal Service will delay the closing or consolidation of mail facilities until May 15, 2012:

"The Postal Service's decision to slow facility closures shows that it understands the importance of compromise in developing policies that will ensure its long-term survival. Faced with an unprecedented decline in mail volume, the Postal Service has already taken responsible actions to cut its operating costs, including reducing its workforce by more than 100,000 employees and reaching a flexible agreement with its largest employee union to save about $3.8 billion over four and a half years. It has never sought a bailout.

"Congress should work together on bipartisan legislation that will return federal retirement system overpayments to the Postal Service and enable it to use that funding to right-size its workforce in a compassionate way and develop new products that meet the evolving needs of its customers."

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