WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced bipartisan legislation to set the United States Postal Service on a more sustainable financial footing and support the goal of providing long-term reliable service across the country. The bill strengthens transparency and accountability for Postal Service performance, eliminates unnecessary financial burdens, and helps ensure the Postal Service can better serve the American people. Peters, who has led efforts to protect the Postal Service and mail delivery, worked to secure significant bipartisan support for the legislation and was joined by a group of nineteen Senators, including ten Republicans, to introduce the bill. A companion bill introduced in the House of Representatives has also received strong bipartisan support.
Detroit News: Peters seeks to overhaul Postal Service’s finances to boost performance
“U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, described his legislation as the first major piece of postal legislation in 15 years. It has ‘significant’ bipartisan support, including 10 Republican co-sponsors and 10 Democrats, that should ensure the bill advances in the divided chamber, Peters said.”…
“‘We have to make sure the Postal Service has sound financial footing so that they can continue to operate for many years to come,’ said Peters, whose committee has oversight over the Postal Service. Part of the financial strain is related to some requirements that they have that no other business in this country has.”
WILX News Channel 10 Lansing: Gary Peters Announces New Bipartisan Postal Reform Bill
Anchor: “Michigan U.S. Senator Gary Peters hosting a media call to talk about a bipartisan plan to overhaul the United States Postal Service. Senator Peters says this new bill is the first major piece of postal legislation in 15 years.”…
Senator Peters: “The Postal Service has been facing substantial challenges through this pandemic and delivery has suffered as a result of that. There have also been significant financial challenges for the Postal Service as the economy continues to evolve.”
“A bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation Wednesday to lift significant financial burdens off the ailing U.S. Postal Service while tightening accountability requirements for mail delivery, a major stride for an agency that has tussled with its balance sheet and reputation for the better part of a year.”…
“Pushed by Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio), who lead the Senate Homeland and Governmental Affairs Committee, the legislation has enough bipartisan co-sponsors to give it a pathway to passage in the bitterly divided chamber.”…
“The legislation would be a significant step toward resolving structural issues at the Postal Service, which has $188.4 billion in liabilities and has not come close to meeting its on-time delivery goals since July.”
WWMT News Channel 3 Kalamazoo: Peters Introduces Bill to Improve USPS Delivery Time
Anchor: “Peters says the bipartisan bill would save the USPS $46 billion over the next 10 years. That money can be put toward retaining workers and upgrading technology.”…
Senator Peters: “This will help us make sure that the Postal Service, they can continue to deliver mail on a timely basis and do it efficiently and make sure that they have the financial solvency to continue to provide these vital services for folks all across Michigan for years to come.”
Michigan Radio: Peters bill aims to help USPS finances, performance
“Peters says Americans depend on the post office for more than delivering and receiving first-class mail.”…
“‘Folks are relying on the mail service for critical supplies, medicines that come through the mail system,’ he said. ‘We know our small businesses use the postal service, and it’s particularly important for folks who live in rural areas'”
CNN: Senators propose bipartisan Postal Service reform bill that could actually pass
“A bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation on Wednesday that would reform the US Postal Service after the struggling agency made repeated requests to Congress to help its dire financial situation. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters of Michigan and top committee Republican Rob Portman of Ohio introduced the measure, which would eliminate a prefunding requirement for postal service retirees that has hamstrung the financially strapped agency, as well as integrate retirees’ health care with Medicare.”…
“The legislation would also require USPS to continue delivering at least six days a week, require the publication of data on the Postal Service website and report to Congress every six months on finances and operations.”…
“‘This commonsense, bipartisan legislation would help put the Postal Service on a sustainable financial footing, ensure it is more transparent and accountable to the American people, and support hardworking postal workers who deliver rain or shine to communities all across the country,’ Peters said in a statement.”
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