Washington D.C. (May 13, 2021)—Today, the Committee on Oversight and Reform passed the bipartisan Postal Service Reform Act, a bill that would place the Postal Service on a more sustainable financial footing, on a voice vote.
Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform Carolyn B. Maloney and Ranking Member James Comer issued the following statements celebrating passage of the landmark legislation:
“We have accomplished something historic today,” said Chairwoman Maloney. “We moved legislation to put the Postal Service on a more secure financial footing, enhance transparency, and improve service. I am proud that this bill to strengthen the Postal Service was approved by the Oversight Committee on a strong bipartisan basis. This measure was years in the making, and I want to thank Ranking Member Comer and Representatives Connolly, Lynch, Lawrence, and Foxx as well as their staffs for their tenacious efforts to get bipartisan postal reform done. I look forward to swift, bipartisan passage of this bill by the House and Senate.”
“The hardworking men and women of USPS deliver prescriptions, greeting cards, bills, and more to the American people every day,” said Ranking Member Comer. “Today, the House Oversight Committee is helping ensure the American people can continue to rely on USPS by delivering on real reforms for the Postal Service. The Postal Service Reform Act will put USPS on the path towards fiscal sustainability and efficiency while ensuring it continues to provide the best service to the American people. This bipartisan bill, coupled with the business plan created by Postmaster General DeJoy and the USPS Board of Governors, provides a long-term solution to bring the Postal Service into the 21st century. I’m proud of the bipartisan support for this critical legislation, and I appreciate the partnership of Chairwoman Maloney in writing this bill.”
Subcommittee on Government Operations Chairman Gerald E. Connolly and Committee Member Virginia Foxx are original cosponsors of the Postal Service Reform Act. Committee Members Reps. Stephen F. Lynch and Brenda L. Lawrence contributed substantially to the development of the landmark legislation.
The Postal Service’s financial condition has been deteriorating over the past decade due to a number of factors. The provisions included in the Postal Service Reform Act are critical to helping the Postal Service remain financially viable. The provisions include: Medicare integration, repealing a requirement for the Postal Service to pre-fund retiree health benefits, service performance reporting, reporting on Postal Service operations and finances, the requirement that the Postal Service operate six days per week using an integrated network, and other matters.