The U.S. Senate passed a postal reform bill intended to restructure the United States Postal Service. Printing Industries of America supports this bipartisan bill as a key step in preventing full-scale economic calamity for the nation’s mail system.

Yesterday, the Senate voted 62-37 to pass S. 1789, the 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2012. Co-sponsored by Senators Brown (R-MA), Carper (D-DE), Collins (R-ME), and Lieberman (I-CT), S.1789 is designed to preserve the USPS financially and sustain its operations moving forward. Specifically, the bill refunds the USPS billions of dollars in overpayments to the Federal Employees Retirement System, streamlines its structure and operations, adjusts an onerous retiree pre-funding requirement, and seeks compromise solutions on controversial issues like facility closures and Saturday mail delivery. 

The USPS is currently suffering due to a recessive economy and an outdated structure, resulting in major deficits. Without timely legislation addressing these problems, the USPS, according to the Postmaster General, could come to a “grinding halt.”

Along with its affiliates and member companies, Printing Industries of America pushed for postal reform without rate increases and with limited amendments and is pleased with the passage of this bill in the Senate. 

“The private sector mailing industry employs nearly 8 million Americans and contributes $1.1 trillion to the U.S. economy annually. It is a linchpin of the economy. Printers make up a large part of this industry and rely heavily on the USPS. A failure to take action could be devastating to the printing business, and we thank Senators for recognizing and acting urgently to avoid a full-scale economic meltdown of the nation’s postal system,” stated Lisbeth Lyons, Vice President of Government Affairs for Printing Industries of America. “In particular, the industry thanks the four champions and co-sponsors of this legislation for their leadership.”

Action on the issue now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives, where a separate bill is pending. Printing Industries of America urges swift action by the House on this issue to ensure a viable mail delivery system and the growth and success of the allied mailing industry.

Please be sure to follow Printing Industries of America Government Affairs on Twitter @printoncaphill for the most up-to-date news about legislation affecting the printing industry.