Today, a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House of Representatives voted to advance legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) that will improve operations and increase transparency at the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).
In recent years, USPS has faced budget difficulties that have led to service delays and shutdowns that have deeply affected communities across America, including in Iowa.
The Postal Service Reform Act ensures USPS is able to budget appropriately for future services while making improvements to its transparency requirements.
“Reliable service from USPS is critical to Iowa’s communities, especially in our rural areas. Iowans can’t afford delays and post office shutdowns when access to paychecks, life-saving medications, and many other services are on the line. That is why I am proud to vote today for legislation I cosponsored that will strengthen the Postal Service, and ensure Americans have access to the highest quality service no matter where they live,” said Rep. Axne. “This bill will deliver much-needed financial relief to USPS while increasing public transparency and safeguarding the Postal Service’s future.”
Key provisions of the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 include:
- Language that requires the Postal Service to develop a public-facing, online dashboard with national and local level service performance data updated each week to provide additional transparency and promote compliance with on-time delivery of mail
- This mirrors the transparency that Rep. Axne advocated for in her Postal Suspension Transparency Act, which she introduced last month
- A requirement that the Postal Service deliver both mail and packages at least six days per week
- Maintaining the 6-day mail delivery schedule has repeatedly been a priority for Rep. Axne, who has voted multiple times in Congress already to maintain the 6-day schedule
- Adjustments to the considerations the Postal Service must make when deciding which mode of transportation to use to deliver mail in order to ensure greater consistency and reliability
- An expansion of special rates for local newspaper distribution to promote local news organizations
The Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 also repeals the requirement that USPS prefund its future retirees’ health benefits. Repealing this fiscal burden that only the Postal Service faces is estimated to save USPS around $27 billion over 10 years. Additionally, this bill would create a new Postal Service Health Benefits Program and further integrate postal retirees with Medicare.
Rep. Axne has consistently advocated for legislation to improve the Postal Service’s functions and protect access to essential services.
Axne’s first bill of 2022 was aimed at increasing transparency around post office suspensions, a measure inspired by a recent temporary closure of a post office in Corning, Iowa.
