APWU Supports Improved USPS Service Standards

House Resolution 277

Lead Cosponsors: Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-02) and Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09)

On April 6, 2023, Representative Don Bacon (R-NE-02), along with 20 other members of Congress from both sides of aisle, introduced House Resolution 277. This resolution expresses the collective view of the chamber  that USPS must restore its service standards to those in effect as of July 1, 2012.

Degradations in service standards come from those claiming reduced mail speed will be a cost savings to the Postal Service. However, the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) has found that these reductions are unnecessary and  the savings have been a small fraction of original estimates. In 2016 and 2017, for example, USPS only saved approximately one-twentieth of original projections.

Furthermore, reductions in mail speed drive away business and damage the reliability of USPS. The PRC found that when mail service slows, people use the mail less.

Restoring service standards is feasible with targeted investments. USPS should improve their network by reopening or repurposing existing facilities to ensure that the public can receive their mail in a timely manner.

Regardless of the business case made to increase service standards, the Postal Service mission is to "provide the nation with reliable, affordable, universal mail service." APWU continues to fight for a prompt, reliable, and efficient Postal Service and therefore supports this resolution in hopes that more members of Congress understand the value of these standards to all Americans.

House Resolution 277

Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States Postal Service should take all appropriate measures to restore service standards in effect as of July 1, 2012.