Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania -- The following is a statement by Lisbeth A. Lyons, Vice President of Printing Industries of America, the world’s largest graphic arts trade association, regarding today’s announcement by the United States Postal Service that it would end Saturday delivery of First Class Mail in August of this year.

“Today’s announcement by the USPS that it plans to end Saturday delivery of First Class mail this summer demonstrates two things: 1) that the USPS is in dire financial straits and must consider a variety of reforms—including delivery frequency—to be “on the table,” and 2) that the need for Congress to address the pending “postal cliff” by passing comprehensive reform legislation is critical to avoid continued rifle-shot approaches in place of a broader solution.

“While Printing Industries of America preferred the approach to delivery frequency outlined in bipartisan legislation that passed the Senate last Congress, we understand the pressures facing Postmaster General Donahoe and his insistence on taking a proactive approach regarding his view that ‘time is money’ in reference to continued Congressional delays on postal reform. We believe questions relating to the USPS’s interpretation of the Continuing Resolution (CR) language and the appropriateness of whether delivery frequency is a policy matter to be decided by Congress or by the USPS remain to be examined.

“Printing Industries of America recognizes that the USPS is a vital supply chain partner for the printing and graphic communications industry and is committed to working with Congress and with the USPS to ensure that modernization efforts move forward quickly to adapt with the changing communications marketplace and to ensure a viable USPS remains well into the future.”