February 14, 2022

Alliance Cheers House Passage of Bipartisan Postal Reform Bill

On Wednesday the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3076, the 2021 Postal Reform Act, on a bipartisan 342-92 vote, repealing the Congressional mandate that the United States Postal Service (USPS) spend billions of dollars every year to prefund retiree health care. The Postal Service would instead pay these costs on a yearly basis, as other government agencies and corporations do, saving nearly $50 billion over 10 years. In addition, the bill would mandate that the USPS continue to deliver the mail at least six days each week.

The Alliance for Retired Americans, the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU), the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (NRLCA), and the AFL-CIO all support the legislation.

Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) said he will hold a vote on the bill in the Senate as soon as possible. White House officials have said that President Biden would then sign it into law, putting the Postal Service on more solid financial footing.

APWU and the Alliance are asking members to help by calling your Senators at 844-402-1001 and urging them to vote “YES” on The Postal Service Reform Act of 2022. Tell them that passage of the Postal Reform Act of 2022 will help solve many of the USPS financial challenges, is fair to active and retired postal workers, and is a big step toward strengthening and preserving our public Postal Service.

“Older Americans rely on the U.S. Postal Service for at-home delivery of medications and important mail six days a week,” said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance. “It is an institution that has served our country since its founding, and it is as important today as it ever was.”