Anthony Locicero, Associate editor02.25.21
PRINTING United Alliance CEO Ford Bowers commended the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform on its recent hearing to review legislative proposals that would position the United States Postal Service (USPS) on a more sustainable financial footing.
The hearing represents step one in advancing postal reform legislation through the 117th Congress, a goal Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney has stated she wishes to see completed in the first 100 days of this legislative session.
In addition to USPS leadership, including Chairman of the USPS Board of Governors, The Honorable Rob Blom, and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy; expert witnesses included Joel Quadracci, CEO of Quad Graphics. Mr. Quadracci testified on behalf of the Coalition for a 21st Century Postal Service (C21).
C21 represents a broad cross-section of the mail and delivery industry – printers, packagers, mailers, shippers, suppliers – that relies upon the postal system. In 2019, this segment of the economy generated $1.6 trillion in sales and employed 7.3 million workers.
Quadracci told Congress that “a cost-effective and efficient Postal Service is integral to the recovery of the American economy as we struggle to overcome the ravages of COVID. Washington spends a great deal of time on stimulus programs that, while important and necessary, can create winners and losers. However, by ensuring that the Postal Service is as effective and affordable as possible, all businesses and all households in every locality of the United States will benefit.”
In advance of the hearing, Chairwoman Maloney released a draft bill that included three legislative proposals supported by PRINTING United Alliance and its allies in C21. These include:
• Repeal of the Postal retiree healthcare pre-funding mandate;
• Integrating postal retirees who are not currently subscribed into Medicare;
• Service performance measurement study and transparency.
However, the industry is urging Congress to make postal reform more robust by adding another key element to legislation.
Specifically, the Postal Regulatory Commission should be directed to conduct a second, time-limited rate-setting review that recalculates the price increases it just sanctioned. This review is warranted based on the changes to the mail stream and performance during 2020.
“I join my coalition colleagues in stating that it is imperative that Congress act to provide substantial reforms to ensure that USPS remains able to provide universal delivery service of print mail and packages to keep Americans connected and commerce flowing,” said Bowers. “PRINTING United Alliance stands ready to work with Chairwoman Maloney, Ranking Member Comer, and their Senate counterparts as they seek to advance postal policy in the 117th Congress.”
