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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDeFazio-Authored Bill to Help US Postal Service Maintain Sustainability Passes House....
The following is older news, but of particular concern at this point.
Today the House of Representatives passed decisively bipartisan legislation authored by Rep. Peter DeFazio that would provide the United States Postal Service (USPS) with much-needed financial relief by ending the agencys burdensome prefunding mandate on future retiree health benefits. The legislation passed by a vote of 309 to 106, with 87 Republicans voting in favor of the bill.
Americans and businesses around the country depend on a reliable Postal Service. This is especially true for rural areas and seniors in my district, who count on six-day service and door-to-door service for their mail and prescription medications, said Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04). The unreasonable pre-funding mandate has threatened the survival of the USPS and placed its vital services for the millions who rely on it at risk. The pre-funding mandate policy is based on the absurd notion of paying for the retirement funds of people who do not yet, and may not ever, work for the Postal Service. My bill will finally repeal this ludicrous policy, provide the USPS with critical financial relief and is the first step towards much-needed comprehensive reform.
In 2006, Congress passed a law to require the USPS to prefund 75 years worth of retiree health benefits in the span of ten yearsa cost of approximately $110 billion. Although the money is intended to be set aside for future Post Office retirees, the funds are instead being diverted to help pay down the national debt.
No other private enterprise or federal agency is required to prefund retiree health benefits on a comparable timetable. The mandate is responsible for all of USPSs financial losses since 2013.
https://defazio.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/defazio-authored-bill-to-help-us-postal-service-maintain-sustainability
One small note: The National Association of Letter Carriers, (NALC), of which I am a retired member, estimates that 95% of losses are directly attributable to the 2006 PAEA
The PAEA is the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, which was passed in a lame duck session of Congress. This Act was never intended to enhance the mission of the USPS. It was intended to weaken and destroy the USPS so that the far right could privatize the functions of the USPS.
In addition, in 2005 the USPS was exploring converting their mainly gas powered fleet of vehicles to alternative and electric vehicles. Many of us here remember that both Bush and Cheney have extensive interests in the oil industry.
Finally, destroying the USPS would also eliminate approximately 700,000 union jobs, another goal of the far right.
I hope this provides some background, and perspective.
hlthe2b
(102,360 posts)It is a no-brainer, but unfortunately there is a real lack of brains (and caring) among some in Congress
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)the USPS will get no relief.
hlthe2b
(102,360 posts)acceptable to bankrupt the USPS.
2naSalit
(86,777 posts)empedocles
(15,751 posts)Significant.
Not afraid to vote of PS, would guess in rural areas especially - and defend it OUT LOUD!
Traildogbob
(8,801 posts)Most vets HAVE to get their VA meds through the mail. As do many seniors. Millions of seniors mail in bills, have no computers and can not use them. This whole economic problem began under Bush/Cheney when USPS wanted to use excess profits to go electric with the fleet. How much more can this admin destroy veterans that gave so much for the GOP profit wars? As Kennedy said, when is enough, enough. All this USPS employees pay taxes, unlike these GOP assholes. Where will money come from for the GOP multi trillion dollar hole in our debt when nobody is left to pay taxes? END GOP!!!
flibbitygiblets
(7,220 posts)Impacts include (just off the top of my head, in addition to what Traildogbob listed)
-Driver's license and ID cards (some exceptions, but mostly these are mailed to people)
-Debit and credit cards - how would millions of Americans get them without the USPS?
-Passports
-Auto/boat registration
-Census forms
-Property taxes
-Other state and local taxes
-mail-in tests
-Dog license
-health insurance cards, including Medicare
-Social security cards
-IRS returns (for those who don't use computers/have internet/have a bank account)
-Christmas cards (talk about a war on Christmas - imagine no more Christmas cards!)
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,437 posts)Practically everybody depends on the USPS. What do Republicans think? That Democrats want USPS to continue to exist just so that they can cheat at elections now (don't answer. Rhetorical)? What do they think is going to replace USPS for everybody? How are people going to get their mail if USPS goes belly up?
True Blue American
(17,988 posts)Mnuchin has already told them they would only get a loan.
Mitch is dead if he refuses. Ky. Is pretty rural and they depend on the local Post Office.
mwooldri
(10,303 posts)More ammunition for Amy McGrath.
Thekaspervote
(32,793 posts)Delmette2.0
(4,169 posts)Profits are always the long term goal and that always fails to help the middle and low income groups that depend on them. It would be so much better to strengthen the government entity and help/benefit everyone.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)But it conflicts with the conservative meme that Government cannot do anything well.
Delmette2.0
(4,169 posts)The R's are trying to steal the over paid retirement fund and turn the delivery system over to unprepared businesses.
tecelote
(5,122 posts)UPS and Fedex would be competing for $0.50 per letter business.
But, they can't.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)I do know know how many people know this, but many UPS and Fed-Ex packages are delivered by the USPS.
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)I am all in favor of this bill. We will need USPS if we are to have an election at all this year.
Rebl2
(13,551 posts)that was part of it. I also think they took this money to fund the unnecessary war going on at the time.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)And we know that the GOP has no interest in making it easier to vote.
AllaN01Bear
(18,387 posts)guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)And this illustrates why the 2020 blue wave must result in control of the Executive and Legislative Branches.
trickyguy
(769 posts)this as part of my much needed research for that project. Need to get the word out.
Proud of Rep. DeFazio for his work on this. We must save the USPS.
Let's hope it gets to the Senate.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)Bengus81
(6,932 posts)Let see,who would run it?? I know...Kenny boy and Enron!!!! Pfffttt......All of us retiree's would be sucking air right now instead of getting checks on Wednesday's.
I'm already sick of peeps saying Bush. IDIOT was bad but ehhh,not that bad. BS,that guy along with Cheney was a flaming RW plague just like Trump.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)But Trump is the unmasked face of the true GOP.
Cha
(297,655 posts)guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)And the cheapest and most efficient service.
Cha
(297,655 posts)guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)Fine.