U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to Senate leadership urging emergency funding, additional borrowing authority, and debt forgiveness to support the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and help it survive the current national pandemic.
“The Postal Service plays a critical role in American society, and its services are needed now more than ever, especially in our rural communities where local access to grocery stores, pharmacies, and other vital services is often limited or nonexistent,” Daines wrote. “Without immediate relief, the USPS may have to limit or cease operations, which would cause significant harm to Americans who rely on the agency for delivery of medicines, distribution of safety-net benefits, and many other critical services.”
To read the full letter, click HERE.
The USPS is vital to rural Montana for shipping products to market and prescription drug delivery. It is projected that mail volume may significantly decline because of the pandemic and may result in the USPS limiting service or closing down.
Daines strongly supports the mission of the USPS. Daines fought to secure a $10 billion loan for the USPS in the Phase Three Coronavirus Economic Recovery Package which gives USPS additional operating flexibility as they continue delivering critical mail and medical supplies during the COVID-19 crisis.
Daines is also leading a bipartisan bill that would lift the unfair financial burden of “pre-funding” retiree health benefits, which no other federal agency or private company does. His bill would save the USPS billions every year.
Background:
Daines has been leading the efforts in Congress to respond to the coronavirus outbreak impacting the country. To read about Daines’ COVID-19 related efforts, click HERE.
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