Cummings Urges Speaker Ryan to Finally

Schedule Vote on Bipartisan Postal Reform Bill

After Missed Payment to Retirement System

Washington, D.C. (Sept. 29, 2017)—Today, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government, called on House Speaker Paul Ryan to schedule an immediate vote on the bipartisan postal reform bill that passed the Oversight Committee on March 17, 2017, but received no action since that time, particularly since the Postal Service sent a letter to the Committee announcing that it will miss payments to both the federal retirement system and the retiree health care system:

“Speaker Ryan should immediately schedule a vote on the bipartisan bill we passed out of the Oversight Committee—more than six months ago—to put the Postal Service on sound financial footing and save $6 billion.  Given that the Postal Service is now unable to pay money it owes to the federal retirement system and to the retiree health care system, it is more urgent than ever that Congress take action to ensure that the Postal Service continues to be able to serve the American people.”

H.R. 756, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2017, was introduced on January 31, 2017.  The Committee held a hearing on the bill in February, and Members approved it on a bipartisan basis on March 17, 2017.

What the bill does:

• Cuts Costs:  Congressional Budget Office scored the bill as generating savings of at least $6 billion

• Strengthens Accountability:   holds Postmaster General accountable for results

• Improves Oversight:  requires Postal Regulatory Commission to review postage rates, mail delivery performance

• Streamlines and Secures Mail Delivery:  utilizes cluster boxes for eligible businesses and allows voluntary residential conversions

• Guarantees Pension Liability:   makes clear Postal Service is responsible for accrued pension liabilities

• Improves Employee Health Care:   improves coordination of care through Postal Service health care plan and Medicare integration

• Emphasizes Local Service Opportunities:  reduces costs and raises revenue by allowing Postal Service to provide state, local, and tribal government services at local post offices

• Supports Rural Access:  requires local community input on potential post office closures

Click here to view a summary of the bill. 

Click here to view notable changes from legislation introduced during the 114th Congress.

Click here to view the Postal Service’s letter to the Committee on September 27, 2017.