e-Team Report, Oct. 9, 2015

The movement demanding an end to delayed mail gained a powerful ally – the California State Legislature. Recently, the legislative body which represents one-eighth of all Americans took a strong stand against cuts to mail service in passing Joint Resolution 11:

The Legislature urges the United States Congress to require the United States Postal Service to restore service standards in effect as of July 1, 2012, and place a moratorium on planned shutdowns of mail sorting centers, and further urges the United States Congress to oppose any postal reform legislation that does not continue the mandate for six-day delivery service or does not protect door-to-door delivery as it currently exists.

With this action, the state legislature calls on California’s congressional delegation to take action and stop the destructive cuts to postal services. That message should be well received, as 41 of California’s 53 representatives already co-sponsor H.Res.54, the resolution which calls on the Postal Service to restore overnight mail service standards. The overwhelming support for keeping the service in the Postal Service from California’s state and federal lawmakers is thanks in great part to the APWU state and local outreach and education efforts.

Nationally, we are extremely close to reaching a bipartisan majority in the House opposing delayed mail. With 8 more members of Congress signing on in just the last week, H.Res.54 is up to 213 co-sponsors, 5 shy of an outright majority.

Latest co-sponsors:

• Patrick Meehan (R-PA)
• Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)
• John Sarbanes (D-MD)
• Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)
• David Cicilline (D-RI)
• Ryan Costello (R-PA)
• David Valadao (R-CA)
• Brad Ashford (D-NE)

H.Res.54 Co-Sponsors by State

How well is your state doing on H.Res.54?

McCarthy Out in Speaker’s Race

In a surprise move yesterday, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) dropped his bid to replace John Boehner (R-OH) as Speaker of the House. McCarthy, Boehner’s second in command, was considered the odds on favorite to succeed Boehner after his announcement last month that he would retire at the end of October.

However, McCarthy’s promotion to Speaker faced stiff opposition from conservative House Republicans and questions emerged whether he could reach the 218 votes necessary to win. The conservative House Freedom Caucus and its more than 40 members endorsed Rep. Daniel Webster (R-FL) over McCarthy this week. Also vying for the Speaker’s gavel is Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which has jurisdiction over postal legislation.

After his surprise withdrawal from the race, McCarthy commented, "Our conference is deeply divided and needs to unite behind one leader." In light of McCarthy’s announcement, Boehner postponed the internal Republican vote for Speaker that had been scheduled for yesterday and will stay in the position until his replacement is selected.