News Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), released the following statement today regarding the Senate’s consideration of S. 1789, The 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2012, earlier this week. The Senate voted against bringing up postal legislation for debate by a vote of 51-46 on Tuesday, March 27, 2012.

“I am disappointed the Senate has again delayed consideration of postal legislation that would help address the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) financial troubles. Without reform, the USPS will start closing post offices on May 15 and will not be able to stay in business beyond September. With these deadlines quickly approaching, it is critical that Congress considers postal legislation soon.”

Sen. Moran authored an amendment that was included in The 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2012, that would require USPS to set minimum standards of service and alternatives to closure that must be considered prior to closing any post office. Upon the bill’s enactment, Sen. Moran’s amendment would prevent the closure of any post offices, including those in Kansas, until those standards are in place and are considered in each case.

The Postal Regulatory Commission has found that maintaining rural post offices only amounts to 0.7 percent of the Postal Service’s budget. Therefore, reducing service to rural communities will have little benefit to the USPS’ bottom line. Click here to read more about Sen. Moran’s amendment.

Sen. Moran is a member of the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Postal Service.

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