Washington, D.C. – Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet urged Senate leadership to provide immediate relief to the United States Postal Service (USPS) in the upcoming Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) relief package. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Bennet called for $25 billion in emergency assistance for USPS and requested that hazard pay for essential workers include letter sorters, carriers, and USPS professionals.
The USPS delivers to tens of millions of addresses nationwide and manages over 31,000 post offices within the United States. Last year, USPS employed over 500,000 Americans, including 97,000 veterans, making it one of the largest employers of veterans in the country. Throughout the pandemic, Americans have relied on USPS more than ever. Months ago, Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan warned that without assistance, USPS could run out of funds by September.
Senate Republicans’ recently proposed Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Reform, and Schools (HEALS) Act includes no emergency funding to ensure the Postal Service can continue delivering for the American people. In his letter, Bennet urged Senate leadership to include the $25 billion in immediate assistance from the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES Act), which the U.S. House of Representatives passed in May.
Bennet also cautioned over the devastating impacts a lack of action may have on the upcoming election: “As the general election approaches and COVID-19 cases rise across the country, it is essential that USPS remains in operation to make mail-in voting possible this November. The strain on USPS poses a particular danger to the election, especially in states like Colorado that rely on an all vote-by-mail system. As more state and local officials prepare for elections in the context of a pandemic, many have expanded vote-by-mail and absentee ballot options. Their success will depend on a viable, functioning USPS.”
This letter echoes Bennet’s request to leadership in April to include $25 billion in relief and hazard pay for the Postal Service. Bennet is also an original cosponsor of S.Res.644 in support of emergency funding for the USPS.
The text of the letter is available HERE and below.
Dear Leader McConnell and Leader Schumer:
I write to urge you to include emergency funding for the United States Postal Service (USPS) in the next emergency relief package. Specifically, the Senate should provide USPS with the $25 billion in emergency assistance included in the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES Act), which the House of Representatives passed in May. The recently proposed Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Reform, and Schools (HEALS) Act includes no such funding to ensure USPS can continue operations.
USPS has been vital to the United States for decades. With 48 percent of global mail volume, USPS processes and delivers over 472 million parcels each day. USPS has 160 million delivery points nationwide and manages over 31,000 post offices within the United States. In 2019, USPS employed over 500,000 Americans, including 97,000 military veterans, making them one of the largest employers of veterans in the country. USPS currently receives no tax dollars from the federal government and relies solely on the sale of postage, products, and services to fund its operations.
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has placed extraordinary pressure on private and public institutions nationwide, and USPS is no exception. Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan warned that, without assistance, USPS could run out of funds by September—one month from now. During the pandemic, Americans have relied on USPS services more than ever. USPS has met this demand by bravely continuing to provide service in every corner of the country. During this difficult time, it is crucial that our mail sorters and mail carriers have the proper protections and support they need to continue delivering for the nation.
As the general election approaches and COVID-19 cases rise across the country, it is essential that USPS remains in operation to make mail-in voting possible this November. The strain on USPS poses a particular danger to the election, especially in states like Colorado that rely on an all vote-by-mail system. As more state and local officials prepare for elections in the context of a pandemic, many have expanded vote-by-mail and absentee ballot options. Their success will depend on a viable, functioning USPS.
In order to ensure USPS continues its operations, I urge Congress to provide $25 billion in immediate emergency aid. I also ask that our letter sorters, carriers, and USPS professionals are included in hazard pay along with the other essential workers.
Thank you for your urgent attention to this critical matter.
Sincerely,