USPS Reform Bill Clears Senate, Biden Expected to Sign

The Postal Service Reform Act’s long and winding path to enactment cleared its penultimate hurdle as the Senate passed the bill March 8 in a largely bipartisan vote: 79 to 19.

Having passed the House Feb. 8, the bill now goes to President Biden’s desk for signature. The president has indicated previously that he intends to sign the bill into law. The bill, which was introduced in the House in May 2021, is meant to remedy many of the financial problems plaguing the Postal Service in order “to provide stability and enhance the services of the United States Postal Service.”

“These provisions include Medicare integration, repealing a requirement for the Postal Service to pre-fund retiree health benefits, increased transparency of delivery service, reporting on Postal Service operations and finances, a requirement that the Postal Service deliver mail six days per week, and other matters,” explains a press release from the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

The bill doesn’t have any direct impact on postal contractors. 

The bill’s passage drew quick praise from some quarters, such as the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC).

“This is a monumental victory for letter carriers and all Americans who depend on the Postal Service for affordable and high-quality universal service,” said NALC President Frederic Rolando in a statement.