Washington, D.C.— Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), today released the following statement after introducing H.R. 3744, the Rural Service Preservation Act in the United States House of Representatives:

“As the United States Postal Service’s financial picture continues to grow dim and options of reform are being discussed, I along with so many across the nation are increasingly concerned about the prospect of the postal service ending delivery to rural regions,” said Aderholt.

“As the postal service looks for reform and cost-cutting solutions, I believe rural Americans should not be singled out for postal cuts. To make sure that does not happen, I’ve introduced legislation that would ensure rural delivery continues and directs the postal service not to target rural postal employees for buy-out retirements.”

“This legislation is vital to the many rural communities of North Alabama and elsewhere across the country. I hope that my colleagues join me in recognizing the importance of this issue to America’s rural regions and support H.R. 3744,” concluded Aderholt.

Details of H.R. 3744

Ensures that the current level of postal delivery service continue for five years from enactment.

Requires any buy-out used to cut workforce of postal employees be apportioned 10% rural 90% urban.

Requires that any postal office closures also be made in the same 10% rural, 90% urban differential.

Defines rural areas with reference to the most recent decennial census and definitions of “rural” from the 2002 and 2008 Farm bills.

Aderholt currently serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security for the powerful House Appropriations Committee, is a member of the Committee’s Commerce, Justice and Science; and Agriculture Subcommittees, and also serves on the Helsinki Commission.

For more information about Aderholt’s work in Congress visit www.aderholt.house.gov.

via Congressman Robert B. Aderholt : News Releases : Aderholt Introduces Rural Postal Service Preservation Act.

Looks like Darrell is having a hard time getting over the Postmaster General’s decision to reach an agreement with a bipartisan group of Senators rather than knuckling under to the demands of the Issa, Ross and the Tea Party terrorists:

I’ll keep you posted on #postal, but seeing #USPS leadership fold like a cheap suit last week is troubling: SavingThePostalService.com

— Darrell Issa (@DarrellIssa) December 19, 2011

For more, see Alan Robinson’s article “The Political Impact of Tweets from Representatives Issa and Ross“

In an exchange on Twitter, Congressman Dennis Ross suggests that Postmaster General Pat Donahoe might need to be fired:

RepDennisRossDennis Ross

Back to #SOPA debate today. Lots of good amendments on the table. Hysterics & hyperbole will also be on tap. Watch at judiciary.house.gov

Dec 16FavoriteRetweetReply

CEP_ObserverAlan Robinson

@RepDennisRoss Isn’t the Brac like commission redundant now? I always thought it was too slow to shrink the network if that was objective.

Dec 16FavoriteRetweetReply

in reply to @CEP_Observer↑

@RepDennisRoss
Dennis Ross@CEP_Observer won’t be modifying. PMG is trying to delay an deflect. First Brac management change may have to start at the top
Dec 16 via Twitter for iPhone
FavoriteRetweetReply

The “BRAC” referred to in the tweets is one of the new regulatory bureaucracies envisioned in the postal “reform” legislation proposed by Ross and his boss, Darrell Issa. In addition to adding a second regulatory commission to oversee the USPS, Ross and Issa want a commission similar to the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission to decide which postal facilities should close and which should remain open. Robinson’s tweet suggested that a BRAC was unnecessary, given that the USPS is already moving ahead with plans to streamline its network (much to the consternation of many of Ross’s colleagues, it should be noted).

But Ross was having none of it- without actually responding to the question, he said that he “won’t be modifying”. And then, somewhat gratuitously, he suggests that a BRAC might have to start “at the top”, meaning, presumably, the PMG. Ross and Issa are apparently not pleased that the PMG actually consulted with other members of Congress, and agreed to a moratorium on closings until May. In reality, the moratorium has little practical effect- the USPS is continuing all of the processes it must go through in order to close the facilities, and few would actually have been shuttered by May. What matters more to Ross and Issa is the fact that the moratorium, along with the likely extension to the pre-funding deadline, takes away the doomsday scenario (remember the ticking “countdown to default” clock on Darrell’s web site?) they hoped would help get their bill pushed through Congress.

See also: Ross Says Firing PMG May Have To Be First Step on Alan Robinson’s Courier Express and Postal blog.

From the American Postal Workers Union:

The House of Representatives voted 243-193 on Dec. 13 to pass the so-called “Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011,” which would cut take-home pay for postal and federal workers by increasing their contributions to the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). The bill also would slash unemployment benefits, place unreasonable burdens on unemployed workers, and cut vital healthcare programs.

Voting in favor of H.R. 3630 were 224 Republicans and 10 Democrats. Fourteen Republicans and 179 Democrats voted no. Action on the bill now moves to the Senate.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI), and co-sponsored by Reps. Spencer Bachus (R-AL), Frank Lucas (R-OK), Dan Lungren (R-CA), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and Fred Upton (R-MI).

The bill also would change the calculation of pensions for new hires with less than five years of creditable service and eliminate the FERS annuity supplement, which is designed to provide a benefit approximating the pension retirees would receive once they become eligible for earned Social Security benefits.

If enacted into law, employee contributions to CSRS would increase from the current rate of 7 percent to 8.5 percent of salary over a three-year span beginning in calendar year 2013. Contributions for employees covered by FERS would increase from 0.8 percent to 2.3 percent over the same period.

The bill would increase the contribution rate for postal and federal employees hired after Dec. 31, 2012, with less than five years of creditable service, from the current rate of 0.8 percent to 4 percent of salary. The pension formula for these employees would be based on the employees’ “high-five” years of service instead of the current “high-three” formula. Pensions for current employees’ would continue to be based on the “high-three.”

President Obama issued a statement before the House vote threatening to veto the bill if it reaches his desk.

APWU members are encouraged to immediately contact their senators and urge them to oppose this unfair and misguided attack on postal and federal workers when the bill is considered in the Senate.

via House Republicans Attack Postal and Federal Retirement Benefits.

From Postcom.org:

From the USPS Industry Liaison: An agreement was made earlier today between the US Postal Service and multiple U.S. Senators to delay the closing of post offices and mail processing facilities until May 15, 2012. Please be aware that while facility closings will be delayed, the Postal Service will continue with all of the efforts necessary to fully review facilities previously announced as part of our study. As part of this review, we intend to continue to conduct both industry outreach meetings and public meetings. In addition, the Postal Service intends to continue with the rulemaking process and to participate in the service change proceedings before the PRC. It is premature to speculate on what we will do or when we will implement any changes to our service standards until these processes have unfolded.

via PostCom: Postal News and Information from Around the World.

From NAPUS:

Moratorium Agreement Reached Between USPS and Senate Members

Today, at 3:00 PM Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jon Tester (D-MT), Mark Begich (D-AK), Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced an agreement with the U.S Postal Service to impose a 5-month moratorium on the closing of postal facilities, including post offices. This suspension of closings and consolidations will extend through May 15, 2012. You may view the Senate press release announcing the moratorium by clicking on Senate Press Release. The USPS also issued a press release, which you may view by clicking on USPS Press Release.

The announcement comes in the wake of a letter authored by 22 Members of the Senate calling for the closing moratorium, pending the enactment of postal relief legislation. Yesterday, the Postmaster General and the Chairman of the Postal Board of Governors were summoned to Capitol Hill by Senator Durbin to meet with the signers of the letter, in part, regarding the impact of postal closings on service.

NAPUS applauds the efforts of the Senators.

via NAPUS

Washington, DC - Congressman Maurice Hinchey has joined several of his U.S. House colleagues in introducing the Postal Service Protection Act – legislation designed to alleviate the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) immediate financial crisis and prevent the layoff of thousands of USPS employees nationwide.

“The Postal Service is considering laying off nearly 25,000 workers, eliminating the Saturday delivery of mail and increasing the time it takes to receive a letter from two to three days,” said Hinchey. “These are changes that would have a negative effect on our economy, and Congress needs to take action now to alleviate the financial crisis the Postal Service faces. The Postal Service Protection Act would accomplish that goal.”

The Postal Service Protection Act would:

• Fix the Postal Service’s immediate financial crisis by allowing the USPS to recover the overpayments it made to its retiree pension funds — both the $7 billion overpayment to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the $50 billion to $75 billion overpayment to the Civil Service Retirement System. In addition, the bill would eliminate the unique requirement that the USPS pre-fund 75 years worth of future retiree health benefits in just 10 years. No other agency is required to pre-fund these benefits.

• Establish new ways to generate revenue by ending the prohibition on USPS providing non-postal services, such as providing notary services, new media services and issuance of licenses; contracting with state and local agencies to provide services; shipping wine and beer, and allowing the USPS to provide services that mail systems in many other countries provide, including digital services.

• Create a blue-ribbon commission composed of entrepreneurs, representatives of labor and small businesses to provide recommendations on how the Postal Service can generate new revenue to succeed in the 21st century.

• Prevent the closing of rural post offices by giving the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) binding authority to prevent closures based on the effect on the community and employees. The bill would also prohibit USPS from considering whether a post office is turning a profit when making the decision to conduct a feasibility study for closure.

• Protect six-day delivery and protect mail-processing facilities by requiring strict standards for delivering first-class mail.

Hinchey and 37 other House members also sent a letter today to Postmaster General Donahoe opposing the planned closing of nearly half of the nation’s 500 mail processing and distribution centers, including those in Binghamton and Newburgh. Last week, Hinchey wrote to the Postmaster General in opposition to the proposed closure of the Binghamton and Newburgh facilities. The full text of the letter opposing the nationwide closure of mail processing and distribution centers follows:

December 8, 2011

The Honorable Patrick Donahoe
Postmaster General
U.S. Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, D.C. 20260

Dear Postmaster General Donahoe,

The United States Postal Service (USPS) recently announced it would close roughly 252 of 500 mail processing centers. It also announced unprecedented cuts to first-class mail next spring that will slow delivery, and for the first time in 40 years, will eliminate the chance for stamped letters to arrive the next day. We strongly object to the decision to slow first class service and close processing centers.

We appreciate USPS’s attempt to reduce costs but the USPS is an essential service for the public and reductions would come at the expense of people who regularly depend on these services. The changes may provide short-term relief, but ultimately it would be penny wise and pound foolish because it would push more businesses onto the Internet. Americans rely on the USPS and the access to services to buy stamps and send packages. The elderly and underserved communities have a tradition of using the USPS and many do not have access to a computer to use email or social media websites.

First-class mail in the United States typically takes one to two days to arrive, but the changes would lengthen that to three days. It would slow everything from check payments to Netflix’s DVDs-by-mail, add costs to mail-order prescription drugs, and threaten the existence of newspapers and time-sensitive magazines delivered by postal carriers to underserved communities. A birthday card mailed first-class to a relative or friend could arrive a day or two late, if people don’t plan ahead.

As representatives of Congressional districts where our constituents depend on the services of the United States Postal Service, we strongly object to the decision to slow first class service and close processing centers.

Sincerely,

Congressman Maurice Hinchey

Hinchey Introduces Legislation to Help Stop Postal Service Layoffs and Service Reductions.

Press release from Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO):

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is calling for a six month delay in U.S. Postal Service facility closures to allow time to implement cost-saving reforms.

McCaskill has joined a request to Senate leaders to approve legislative language preventing the Postal Service from closing any post offices or area mail processing facilities for at least six months, allowing more time for Congress to “enact reforms necessary” to potentially save those facilities.

“While we may have very different views on how to financially improve the postal service, we all believe that democratically elected members of the Senate and the House have the responsibility to make significant changes to the postal service,” McCaskill and her colleagues wrote. “Unfortunately, we are concerned that the postal service may preempt Congress on this matter by closing or consolidating nearly 3,700 mostly rural post offices, over 250 mail processing facilities, and eliminating overnight delivery for first class mail before postal reform legislation is enacted. While some of these changes may be needed, we believe that it is very important to give Congress the opportunity to reform the postal service in a way that protects universal service while ensuring its financial viability for decades to come.”

McCaskill is a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Postal Service. Postal reforms supported by McCaskill, and approved by a Senate panel last month, would require the Postal Service to strengthen the public’s ability to appeal a closure and would prevent the Postal Service from closing rural post offices until it establishes clear criteria for determining whether a post office should be closed.

The text of the Senators’ letter appears below.

Dear Majority Leader Reid, Minority Leader McConnell, Chairman Inouye, and Ranking Member Cochran:

Everyone understands that the United States Postal Service (USPS) is experiencing significant financial problems today and that changes need to be made as the USPS adjusts to a digital world.

To address this serious problem, Congress is in the midst of significantly reforming the postal service. Several bills have been introduced in the Senate and the House on this issue. On November 9th, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee passed the 21st Century Postal Service Act, S.1789, by a vote of 9-1. The House is also moving forward with postal reform legislation.

While we may have very different views on how to financially improve the postal service, we all believe that democratically elected members of the Senate and the House have the responsibility to make significant changes to the postal service.

Unfortunately, we are concerned that the postal service may preempt Congress on this matter by closing or consolidating nearly 3,700 mostly rural post offices, over 250 mail processing facilities, and eliminating overnight delivery for first class mail before postal reform legislation is enacted. While some of these changes may be needed, we believe that it is very important to give Congress the opportunity to reform the postal service in a way that protects universal service while ensuring its financial viability for decades to come.

Therefore, we respectfully ask that you include language in the next appropriations to prevent the USPS from closing or consolidating area mail processing facilities or rural post offices for the next six months. This six month moratorium will give Congress the time needed to enact reforms necessary for the postal service to succeed in the 21st century.

We look forward to working with you on this important issue. Thank you for your consideration.

Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) commented on the “so-called Postmaster General’s” plans yesterday:

NALC President Fredric Rolando responded to the Postal Service’s announcement that it plans to reduce delivery standards with the following statement. “We are very concerned about the proposal to reduce delivery standards. High-quality service is essential to preserving the value of our networks and to any future growth strategy. Degrading standards not only hurts the public and the businesses we serve, it’s also counter-productive for the Postal Service because it will drive more people away from using the mail. Changes in service need to be part of a coherent business plan that takes advantage of new opportunities, such as delivering the items people increasingly order online. We urge the Postal Regulatory Commission to review the proposal carefully and act to protect the long-term viability of America’s Postal Service.”

via NALC | The National Association of Letter Carriers, AFL-CIO.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 — The office of Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following news release:

Alaska’s Congressional Delegation today sent a letter to the United States Postal Service Inspector General, prodding the department for answers to nine questionable claims made in this week’s report “Bypass Mail: Beyond Its Original Purpose.”

Among the questions raised in the letter:

* False Equivalencies: To criticize the passenger air service supply and demand imbalance created by bypass mail, the report states there are 80 flights/month between Anchorage and Juneau, compared to 90 between Anchorage and King Salmon. The delegation writes: “Please justify this comparison, given that the planes flying between Anchorage and Juneau are often 144-seat Boeing 737-400 jets and the planes used to fly between Anchorage and King Salmon are often Saab 340/340B turboprop commuter planes that have a maximum of 36 seats.”

* Cost of Milk: The delegation responds to the point made in the report that “milk in Bethel costs less than retail milk in Anchorage.” Two phone calls this week found that “on November 28, 2011, the price of a gallon of Lucerne 2% milk at the Anchorage Carrs/Safeway costs $3.39 while a gallon of that same milk cost $6.99 in Bethel at the Alaska Commercial Company.”

* Factual Error: The report suggests that Alaska does not pay for airport infrastructure. The delegation writes “we are told that the State of Alaska owns or maintains…many of those [airports] in bypass mail communities and currently spends $33 million annually to maintain the state’s Rural Airport System.”

* Alaska refuses to improve the system: “We question what stakeholders your office met with, given that airlines participating in the bypass mail system have been working for well over a year to develop proposals for additional efficiencies in the program in concert with USPS and DOT.”