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Twenty-Two More U.S. Reps
Sign Up as Sponsors of H.R. 22

APWU Web News Article #049-09, April 23, 2009

Legislation that is desperately needed to save the Postal Service from a crushing financial crisis continues to garner support in the House of Representatives.

H.R. 22 Presentation - PowerPoint 97-2003 version (2.5 MB) H.R. 22 Presentation - PowerPoint 2007 version (2.5 MB) H.R. 22 Presentation - PDF version (2.0 MB)

As of April 23, 274 members of Congress have signed on as co-sponsors of H.R. 22 [PDF], which would modify a provision of the 2006 postal “reform” law that drains the Postal Service of billions of dollars per year and has contributed to a crisis so severe that it threatens the viability of the nation's 235-year-old postal system.

The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act requires the USPS to spend more than $5 billion per year from 2006 through 2016 to pre-fund retiree healthcare benefits from its operating budget. No other federal agency is subject to this requirement.

Despite drastic cuts in work hours and other savings, in Fiscal Year 2008 the USPS suffered a net loss of $2.8 billion. The Postal Service could save as much as $3.5 billion a year through 2016 if this amendment to the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act were to become law, Postmaster General John E. Potter said in testimony before a Senate subcommittee early this year.

The representatives who have signed on as H.R. 22 co-sponsors since April 6 are: John Barrow (D-GA); Rob Bishop (R-UT); Steve Buyer (R-IN); Michael Castle (R-AL); Elton Gallegly (R-CA); John Hall (D-NY); Jay Inslee (D-WA); Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO); Gwen Moore (D-WI); Jerrold Nadler (D-NY); John Olver (D-MA); Charles Rangel (D-NY); Tim Ryan (D-OH); Loretta Sanchez (D-CA); Kurt Schrader (D-OR); Bobby Scott (D-VA); Heath Shuler (D-NC); Ike Skelton (D-MO); Fortney Stark (D-CA); Harry Teague (D-NM); Henry Waxman (D-CA); and Anthony Weiner (D-NY).

“It is imperative that APWU members contact their legislators and ask them to support the bill,” APWU President William Burrus said.

Echoing this sentiment, Myke Reid, director of the APWU Legislative & Political Department, said that he expects a similar measure to be introduced soon in the Senate. “When this happens, we must be prepared to act: Union members must renew their efforts and urge their senators to support the legislation.”

Click here to see if your U.S. representative is a co-sponsor of H.R. 22.
Click here to send a message to your legislators.
Click here to view a PowerPoint slide show about H.R. 22.

[more H.R. 22 news]

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