Government affairs

Legislative Updates

Republican lawmakers back USPS appropriations in letter to Administration and Republican leadership

A group of 26 Republican lawmakers led by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) sent a letter today to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) urging direct support for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) in the next stimulus package. View the letter here.

That group includes: Reps. David McKinley (R-WV), Don Young (R-AK), Fred Upton (R-MI), Pete King (R-NY), Mike Bost (R-IL), Chris Smith (R-NJ), John Katko (R-NY), Don Bacon (R-NE), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), Rodney Davis (R-IL), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Susan Brooks (R-IN), Tom Cole (R-OK), John Shimkus (R-IL), Mike McCaul (R-TX), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Paul Cook (R-CA), Tom Reed (R-NY), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Steve Stivers (R-OH), Dave Joyce (R-OH), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Mike Turner (R-OH), and Will Hurd (R-TX).

Specifically, they request that the following provisions be considered for the next legislative package:

  1. A “public service” appropriation of at least $25 billion to the Postal Service to alleviate some of the strain caused by the pandemic.
  2. An authorization for a continued “public service” appropriation for the difference between USPS revenue and expenses for the duration of this public health crisis.
  3. A mechanism to reimburse the Postal Service for any COVID-19 related leave pay provided by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-127).
  4. Ensure equal treatment for postal employees in any legislation that authorizes, and funds hazard pay for other front-line workers exposed to health risks related to the COVID-19 virus. Such legislation should cover postal workers, who face heightened exposure risks to the virus on a daily basis.

They go on to recognize the important service USPS, letter carriers, and other postal employees provide to the country and that any interruption to such service would be incredibly detrimental to both the agency and the American people, their constituents.

NALC is thankful for the support from these members and encourages letter carriers to thank them as well. USPS is in dire need of financial assistance from Congress if it is to survive the current Covid-19 crisis and the associated economic downturn. To support our continued efforts, letter carriers should continue contacting their members of Congress to urge support for funding in the next stimulus package.

Let Congress know that there is overwhelming voter support for funding (link to poll here).

Click here to take action.

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