Shaheen & Hassan Introduce Resolution Defending USPS, Urging More Funding to Offset COVID-19 Losses

The USPS provides vital services for millions of Americans, but currently lacks the funding needed to stay afloat 

WASHINGTON, D.C – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), together with U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced a resolution outlining the importance of the U.S. Postal Service and urging increased funding in the next COVID-19 relief package to help the key agency offset losses incurred due to the pandemic. The resolution also makes clear that the USPS should not be forced to reduce its services, close post office facilities, or excessively raise rates.  

“The USPS provides an essential service to millions of Americans, who rely on the agency each day to receive their prescription medications, buy and sell items, stay in touch with their loved ones during a time of social distancing, vote and so much more” said Shaheen. “The USPS has never been more important, but because of revenue losses and other challenges, its future is in jeopardy. Congress must support the USPS in any upcoming COVID-19 relief package so that it can continue to serve the American people as it has always done.”

“The U.S. Postal Service has always played a vital role in the Granite State, particularly in more rural communities where many people rely on receiving medications, business supplies, and other essential goods by mail. Now with the COVID-19 pandemic and many older Americans or those with underlying health conditions continuing to stay home, the Postal Service is more important than ever,” said Hassan. “I am glad to join with my colleagues to reinforce how critical the Postal Service is to our country. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell needs to come to the table and work with us on an additional COVID-19 relief package, and that legislation should include sufficient funding for the Postal Service.”

The Resolution notes that the U.S. Postal Service employs more than 630,000 people, including 97,000 military veterans.

In addition to Senators Shaheen, Hassan, Booker, Schumer, and Peters, the resolution is cosponsored by Senators Blumenthal (D-CT), Whitehouse (D-RI), Carper (D-DE), Gillibrand (D-NY), Jones (D-AL), Coons (D-DE), Reed (D-RI), Baldwin (D-WI), Sanders (I-VT), Smith (D-MN), Menendez (D-NJ), Rosen (D-NV), Bennet (D-CO), Udall (D-NM), Feinstein (D-CA), Harris (D-CA), Merkley (D-OR), King (I-ME), Sinema (D-AZ), Markey (D-MA), Murray (D-WA), Tester (D-MT), Durbin (D-IL), Murphy (D-CT), Hirono (D-HI), Manchin (D-WV), Cardin (D-MD), Stabenow (D-MI), Klobuchar (D-MN), Brown (D-OH), Duckworth (D-IL), Warren (D-MA), Van Hollen (D-MD), Wyden (D-OR), Cantwell (D-WA), Cortez-Masto (D-NV), Heinrich (D-NM), and Schatz (D-HI).

Full text of the resolution can be found here.

Senator Shaheen is a staunch supporter of the Postal Service. In April, Shaheen led the New Hampshire congressional delegation in a letter to congressional leadership, urging them to include relief for the U.S. Postal Service in future COVID-19 relief legislation, calling President Trump’s plan to quadruple rates “outrageous.” Shaheen also sent a letter with her colleagues to Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, urging him to reject politically motivated conditions on financial relief for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), including privatization.