Future Of Post Office

Monitoring proposed reforms

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is facing a deficit of more than $9 billion this year that will leave taxpayers footing the bill unless serious changes are made to the current system. I believe robust reforms to the USPS are needed and steps should be taken to determine what constitutes the appropriate number of facilities throughout the nation.

However, I understand the importance of keeping postal operations in rural communities because they often lack alternatives for conducting postal businesses and parcel delivery. I believe that post offices are a central component for many rural Nevada towns and areas and we must ensure the USPS remains solvent.

The USPS proposed a review process in order to close approximately 3,700 post offices across the country – as many as 15 in the Second Congressional District of Nevada. The USPS developed this list through an internal audit and is finishing the process of holding meetings with the public, local postal masters, and community leaders in the area.  

Last Congress I joined some of my colleagues to express to Congressional leadership the importance of rural post offices. Since then the USPS decided to delay the closing of mail processing centers and local post offices, including many in Northern Nevada. Since then, the USPS decided to instead implement shortened operation hours for many rural post offices, including 34 in Nevada, for the next two years. Under this proposal, the USPS estimates annual savings of $500 million. 

I am committed to making sure this concept continues as Congress considers avenues to make the USPS more competitive and sustainable in the future.

Legislative Action in the 113^th Congress:

• Cosponsor of the Securing Access to Rural Postal Services Act of 2013 (H.R. 2615)
• Briefings with Sierra Nevada District Manager Craig Colton regarding proposed closures.