[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 141 (Wednesday, September 21, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H6283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1230
                     SUPPORTING WORKERS OF THE USPS

  (Ms. RICHARDSON asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 685,000 workers 
of the United States Postal Service who are facing a very devastating 
future without our action. If Congress doesn't act now, we could 
potentially lose 120,000 jobs, imagine that, that are in jeopardy 
today.
  The United States Postal Service offers a very affordable system, but 
right now they are in jeopardy. Why? Because back in 2006, they were, I 
would say, in a discriminating way, required to pay $5.5 billion in 
overcharge into benefits that are not incurred at this time. Based on 
long-term projections, they have an estimated surplus--imagine that in 
this time--of $55 billion to $75 billion. Without this mandate, the 
USPS would actually have a $611 million benefit that could help out in 
this tough economy.
  Mr. Speaker, there are 685,000 workers who are not at fault for this 
requirement, and this $5 billion requirement needs to stop now so our 
postal service can continue.

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