[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 36 (Friday, March 25, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 25, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                           REGARDING S. 1541

 Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, recently I cosponsored legislation, 
S. 1541, a bill which addresses issues regarding private express mail 
delivery. I wanted to take this opportunity to explain the rationale 
behind my doing so.
  First, I strongly support the U.S. Postal Service. I believe the USPS 
is the finest postal delivery system in the world. The men and women 
who keep the mail flowing to and from every corner of the country, from 
small towns such as Queen Creek, AZ, to large metropolises such as New 
York City, deserve our praise and admiration.
  Second, if we are to maintain a first-rate, high-quality postal 
system that delivers to every address in America, we must allow our 
national post office to maintain its monopoly status and should not 
privatize the USPS. I believe that privatizing the USPS would severely 
limit the ability of all Americans to use the mails regardless of their 
place of residence. Because of that belief, I would fight privatizing 
the Postal Service.
  Third, although I believe the USPS must be allowed to continue to be 
our Nation's only regular mail carrier, I believe there is room in the 
mail delivery industry for overnight express carriers who can fulfill 
certain specific requirements as allowed by law.
  Currently the law allows for any American to choose the overnight 
mail carrier of his or here choice. Carriers other than the USPS have 
certain restrictions placed upon them. I believe that such limitations 
are entirely appropriate and should be maintained.
  I am concerned, however, that postal inspectors may be using 
subjective criteria to fine or punish companies for using private 
overnight carriers. If we were to take a poll of every business in 
America, I would wager that the vast majority, perhaps nearly all, 
would not be aware that unless a package is truly urgent they are 
forbidden by law from using a private overnight delivery service. 
Additionally, I doubt many businesses would know what qualifies as 
urgent and what does not.
  We must rectify this situation. We need less big brother Government 
and must place more trust in the American people.
  We must make sure that all individuals and businesses know what 
rights they possess regarding the mail. We must also be sure that every 
person who uses a private overnight delivery service understands 
exactly what is defined as urgent or nonurgent. Unfortunately, as I 
have stated, there is no clear delineation on what qualifies as urgent 
or nonurgent.
  I believe the Congress must address this issue and decide how it best 
be addressed. The Congress should establish a bright line test 
regarding this issue. Such a bright line would allow everyone to know 
what is permitted and act accordingly.
  To ensure that this issue is debated, I have supported S. 1541. This 
should not in any way be interpreted as a lack of support for the 
Postal Service. Quite the contrary is true.
  I believe that when the Congress clarifies this issue, the Postal 
Service will better be able to do its job and the businesses and 
individuals who need to send overnight mail will know their rights and 
obligations. This is the appropriate role of Congress.
  Because of this measure, the Postmaster General has stated that the 
Postal Service will cease these investigatory raids. I applaud his 
doing so.
  I am now hopeful that we can establish criteria to address any 
concerns that still exist.
  I am hopeful that the U.S. Postal Service and the public will benefit 
from this discussion and that this issue once and for all will be 
clarified.

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