Underwood Votes to Strengthen Postal Service and Ensure Reliable, On-Time Mail Service for Illinois

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) supported the passage of the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 (H.R.3076), bipartisan legislation to strengthen the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The legislation will ensure six-day delivery, strengthen the long-term financial health of USPS, and automatically enroll retirees in Medicare. The current operation of the Postal Service is unsustainable and harms postal workers, small businesses, families, and veterans.

"The drastic drop in delivery standards that Illinoisans have experienced is unacceptable. Seniors and veterans have seen critical medications arrive dangerously late; small businesses have been hobbled by slow and unreliable delivery; families separated by a pandemic are missing opportunities to connect," said Underwood. "I am proud to support the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 and will continue to support legislation to protect, strengthen, and modernize the Postal Service."

Underwood has been a strong supporter of the USPS. In October 2021, Underwood participated in a field hearing in Chicago held by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform to address USPS concerns raised by constituents and ensure accountability. Underwood supported the passage of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, which provided $10 billion in emergency relief for USPS. In August 2020, Underwood supported the House passage of the Delivering for America Act (H.R. 8015), which would have prohibited the Postal Service from implementing any changes to the operations or level of service it had in place on January 1, 2020.

Key Reforms in the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022

 

Six-Day Integrated Delivery:  The Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 would require the Postal Service to deliver both mail and packages at least six days per week across an integrated delivery network.
Service Performance Transparency:  The Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 would require 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.
Non-Postal Services:  The Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 would allow the Postal Service to enter into agreements with state, local, and tribal governments to provide non-commercial property and services that provide enhanced value, do not detract from core postal services, and provide a reasonable contribution to Postal Service institutional costs. 
Modernizing Health Benefits:  The Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 would require future Postal Service retirees, who have been paying into Medicare their entire careers, to enroll in Medicare. Currently, roughly a quarter of postal retirees do not enroll in Medicare even though they are eligible.  This means USPS is paying far higher premiums than any other public or private sector employer. By more closely integrating Medicare, USPS estimates it could save approximately $22.6 billion over 10 years. The Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 would also eliminate the requirement that USPS pre-fund retiree health benefits for all current and retired employees for 75 years in the future. No private company or other federal government entity faces such a requirement, and this provision would save USPS roughly $27 billion over 10 years.

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