WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to strengthen the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and adjust it to 21st Century realities so it can continue delivering for the American people, the U.S. Senate today voted 79-19 to pass the Postal Service Reform Act.  The bipartisan bill, which now goes to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law, will help save the U.S. Postal Service about $49 billion over 10 years through structural benefit reforms, increasing transparency, and facilitating timely mail and package deliveries.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a cosponsor of the Senate postal reform bill (S. 1720), says the new law will put the USPS on sound financial footing and ensure long-term, reliable mail service by:

  • Strengthening transparency and accountability for Postal Service performance;
  • Keeping the Postal Service operating in communities nationwide; and
  • Permanently requiring the Postal Service to maintain its standard of delivering at least six days a week.

“The postal service is a key public service.  Rhode Island citizens and businesses rely on the United States Postal Service to deliver their prescriptions, paychecks, utility bills, essential letters, and more.  This bipartisan reform will help modernize the Postal Service, put it on sounder financial footing, and make it more efficient and reliable,” said Senator Reed.  “For over a decade, people talked about the post office’s financial challenges while kicking the can down the road.  Getting this bill done is imperative to ensuring the Postal Service can continue to perform its essential mission and deliver the service the American people deserve.”

The bill includes technology upgrades allowing the Postal Service to develop a public online mail delivery performance dashboard so customers can view on-time delivery metrics by zip code each week.  It also expands special rates for local newspaper distribution to promote local news organizations.

This postal reform bill marks the first major piece of postal reform legislation approved by Congress in over 15 years.  The White House has indicated President Biden will sign the bipartisan measure into law.