Press Releases

Today, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations, and Rep. Peter King introduced the Postal Preservation Act.

The coronavirus crisis is wreaking havoc on the U.S. Postal Service.  Without immediate help from Congress and the Administration, the Postal Service—a vital staple of American society since 1775—could cease to function by the end of this fiscal year.

“Can you imagine our nation actually allowing the Postal Service to shut its doors?” said Chairwoman Maloney.  “We can’t let that happen.  This is a national emergency that Congress must address.  The American people rely on the Postal Service to deliver crucial goods and services every day to every household across America, including more than a billion life-saving medications annually and millions of economic stimulus checks and unemployment benefits.”

“Throughout this crisis, the US Postal Service has provided consistent mail and package delivery to all of us,” said Chairman Connolly. “It has been a critical lifeline for the millions of Americans, particularly seniors and people living with disabilities, who would otherwise be forced to leave their homes for necessities like prescription medications and household essentials. USPS is an American institution that we have never needed more than we do today, and we would all feel the impact of its collapse. We must save the Post Office.”

“The United States Postal Service is too important for Congress to let fail,” said Rep. Peter King.  “The services it provides are invaluable and it serves as a gateway to opportunity for so many Americans. I am prepared fight in these coming months to ensure it gets all the assistance it needs.”

The Postal Preservation Act will:

• make an emergency appropriation to the Postal Service of $25 billion—a request that is supported by the bipartisan Postal Service Board of Governors appointed by President Donald Trump; and

• require appropriate oversight of that funding by the Postal Service Inspector General.

The Postal Service is a fundamental component of America’s economic infrastructure, providing affordable, universal delivery of mail and e-commerce packages to more than 160 million households and business.  The Postal Service propels a $1.6 trillion mailing industry that employees 7.3 million people.