Postal Service Reform Act of 2017 Is Introduced By House Committee

WASHINGTON — February 2, 2017 — On Tuesday, January 31, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee leaders introduced H.R. 756, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2017 (Opens as PDF). The bill addresses unfunded liabilities of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), makes reforms to keep mailing costs affordable for consumers, and encourages innovation, all without additional borrowing capacity from the U.S. taxpayer.

Bill cosponsors Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Reps. Mark Meadows (R-NC), Dennis Ross (R-FL), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), and Stephen Lynch (D-MA) released the following statement upon introduction:

"This bipartisan measure will make the policy changes that are most urgently needed to put the Postal Service on sound and sustainable long-term financial footing. This collaborative reform effort places the Postal Service on a path toward a viable future."

In May 2016, the committee held a hearing to examine the need for timely and comprehensive postal reform legislation. In June 2016, the committee introduced H.R. 5714 (opens as PDF), the Postal Service Reform Act. In July 2016, the legislation overwhelmingly passed out of committee.

The bill — H.R. 756, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2017 will make the USPS more efficient in the following capacities:

• Cuts Costs: CBO Score, Unified Budget Savings of at least $2.2B
• Streamlines and Secures Mail Delivery through cluster boxes for eligible businesses, voluntary residential conversions
• Strengthens Accountability by holding Postmaster General accountable for results
• Improves Oversight by having the Postal Regulatory Commission review postage rates, mail delivery performance

H.R. 756 will also address key concerns of customers and employees:

• Guarantees Pension Liability by making clear USPS is responsible for accrued pension liabilities
• Improves Employee Health Care by improving coordination of care through a USPS-only health care plan and Medicare integration
• Emphasizes Local Service Opportunities by having USPS provide state, local, and tribal government services at local post offices, reducing the cost of service and raising postal revenue
• Supports Rural Access by obtaining local community input on post office closure

Click here to see the full bill text (Opens as PDF).

Click here to view a summary of the bill (Opens as PDF).

Click here to view notable changes from legislation introduced during the 114th Congress (Opens as PDF).