Bipartisan Bill Introduced by Senator Hassan to Strengthen Postal Service Signed Into Law

WASHINGTON – Today President Biden signed into law bipartisan legislation, which U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan helped introduce, to strengthen the Postal Service and improve the agency’s long-term financial stability. The bipartisan Postal Service Reform Act eliminates requirements that have decimated the Postal Services’ finances, increases transparency and accountability at the agency, guarantees mail delivery six days a week, and strengthens support for postal workers.  

Watch Senator Hassan’s remarks at a bipartisan press conference on the bill here.

“The Postal Service is a lifeline for small businesses and families, and I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this critical law that will strengthen mail delivery now and in the years to come,” said Senator Hassan. “Granite Staters – especially in rural areas – know that a dependable Postal Service is essential for local communities to thrive, and today’s bill is a testament to the progress that we can make when we come together.”

The Postal Service Reform Act eliminates the aggressive retirement prefunding requirement that has financially hurt the Postal Service, and ensures that future Postal Service Employees and retirees enroll in Medicare. Together, these two reforms will save the Postal Service more than $49 billion in savings over the next ten years. In addition, the bill requires the Postal Service to continue to deliver mail at least six days a week.

The legislation also improves transparency by requiring the Postal Service to publish service data weekly on its website. It also requires regular reporting of Postal Service finances and operation to Congress.

This new law builds on Senator Hassan’s previous work to improve the Postal Service. Senator Hassan previously led negotiations to successfully include $10 billion for USPS in a COVID-19 relief and government funding package to help the agency address pandemic-related mail delays. Following a request from Senator Hassan, the Postal Service Inspector General issued a report that found that the main cause of postal delays and poor service in New Hampshire was due to a lack of permanent staff. In the months following the report, the Postal Service hired more than 150 new permanent employees in New Hampshire.

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