Following the passage of the CARES Act (P.L. 116-136), NPMHU National President Paul Hogrogian issued a statement calling out the woefully inadequate funding for USPS included in the bill: $10 billion in lending power at the discretion of the Department of Treasury, which has been leading charge on postal privatization.
Support for greater financial funding has also been seen on Capitol Hill from House committee leadership. Oversight & Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY-12) and Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11) sent a letter to House and Senate leadership, calling for increased stimulus funding and debt relief as a means to ensure long-term viability. As the letter states, "Postal workers are on the frontlines of this crisis, delivering essential information, packages, and services to the American people. We cannot afford to lose this massive infrastructure, with access to every resident and business in the country."
While NPMHU expected support from the committee and subcommittee of jurisdiction on postal issues, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson wrote his own letter for the record on the need to ensure that stability of the Postal Service. In it, the Chairman expressed the current decline of mail caused COVID-19 is a threat the longevity of the Postal Service. As it states, "The loss of the Postal Service is simply unthinkable. It would not only cut off thousands of rural communities, it would imperil the affordable, daily delivery service on which countless households across the nation rely."
As Congress moves forward on financial aid for USPS, NPMHU will ensure its membership is aware of support from elected officials.
President Hogrogian Statement on CARES Act (PDF)
Chairwoman Maloney and Chairman Connolly Letter (PDF)
Chairman Thompson Letter (PDF)
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