McKinley, Kaptur Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Restore Postal Service, Help Rural Communities

WASHINGTON D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Representatives David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-W.Va.) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) introduced bipartisan legislation that will return overnight delivery for first class mail, newspapers, and other post to the millions of Americans that use this service.

Starting in 2012, the U.S. Postal Service implemented an organization-wide changes that would close mail processing facilities and end the overnight delivery for mail sent and received in the same area. In lowering “service standards,” USPS abandoned the small and rural communities who rely heavily on the postal services to deliver their essential needs.

“Millions of rural Americans rely on postal services to receive critical packages they need, whether that be medications, bills, or even letters from grandma,” said Rep. McKinley. “During the pandemic, many have had to use the postal service to stay connected with their families, friends, and loved ones. In these unprecedented times, USPS should be held accountable to ensure that all Americans receive their mail in a timely manner, no matter where they live.”

“Families across the country are relying on the postal service now more than ever because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rep. Kaptur. “Whether it’s for receiving medications, paying bills, conducting a small business, or ordering home essentials, we have to make sure Americans are able to count on their Postal Service to deliver mail in a timely manner. I remain deeply concerned with the misguided closure of Toledo’s processing plant, which has led to even more unnecessary delays in our region. That is why I’m pleased to introduce this resolution calling for the restoration of postal standards so we can strengthen key postal infrastructure. I’m thankful for Rep. McKinley for leading this bipartisan measure and working across the aisle to strengthen postal services for every community.”

Joining Reps. McKinley and Kaptur as original cosponsors are Reps. Joyce (R-OH), Tonko (D-NY), Young (R-AK), Ryan (D-OH), Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Allred (D-TX).

Last Congress the resolution garnered 206 bipartisan cosponsors.

Background

During McKinley’s time in Congress, he has consistently protected the mission of the United States Postal Service and its workers, including:

• Voting for the Delivering for America Act (H.R. 8015), providing additional funding to the United States Postal Service (USPS) and stop proposed cuts to service;
• Signing onto a bipartisan letter to the Postmaster General in July, opposing closures and reduction of hours;

• Leading a letter to Republican leadership and the Trump Administration in May urging them to include funding for the USPS in the next COVID-19 relief package;

• Offering a bipartisan amendment to a recent funding bill to stop the USPS from imposing changes that will negatively impact service;

• Introducing a bipartisan resolution supporting a return to robust service standards (H. Res. 60);

• Co-sponsoring legislation to support 6-day delivery (H. Res. 54), maintain door delivery (H. Res. 23), and oppose privatization (H. Res. 33).

• Voting for the USPS Fairness Act (H.R. 2382) which relieves the USPS of burdensome requirements to pre-fund health care benefits for retirees;

• McKinley also sponsored the Postal Employees Appeal Rights Amendments Act (H.R. 597) and the Postal Service Financial Improvement Act of 2019 (H.R. 2553).