Statement by Congressman Brian Higgins on USPS 5-Day Delivery Announcement
Statement
Today the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced plans to move from 6 day to 5 day delivery the week of August 5, 2013. Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) released the following statement in response:
"For over a year now we have witnessed the Postmaster General's unilateral, decide now, and justify later approach. Arbitrary closing lists, including the facility right here on William Street in Buffalo, is just one example of his reckless rule. Under the Postmaster's leadership, the USPS displayed a complete lack of transparency and accountability throughout the processing facility closure nightmare. They used flawed data and discouraged public engagement. All of this casts serious doubt that the current leadership is up to the task of leading the Postal Service through these challenging times and that's why last June I sent a letter to the Board of Governors calling on them to take action to remove and replace the Postmaster General.
"This action is happening in part as a result of frustrating Washington dysfunction. Comprehensive postal reform would relieve the obligation to prefund pension obligations and would dramatically change the balance sheet of the Postal Service. Last year I was among more than 220 bipartisan cosponsors on a bill that would recalculate the pension funding requirement. This bill has the votes to pass and should have been brought to the Floor but the Speaker has refused to do that. This is an economic issue that stretches far beyond the USPS institution. Congress should step up, put aside politics, and do what's right for small businesses, working families and postal customers nationwide.
"The Postal Service points out a change in mailing habits by customers, due to email and other societal adaptations. Dismantling services and the speed of delivery in an increasingly fast-paced world seems to be a step backward that will only further corrode the relevance of the Postal Service, setting up an already struggling institution for failure moving forward."
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