[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 24, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1313]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE 21ST CENTURY POSTAL SERVICE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2012

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it has now been 
nearly three months since the Senate passed its comprehensive postal 
reform legislation in an effort to address the mounting financial woes 
of the United States Postal Service. The 21st Century Postal Service 
Act, as it is known, would allow the USPS to address the growing 
demands of a modem age of technology, and grant the agency the 
authority it needs to avoid insolvency without unnecessary cuts to 
labor.
  Yet, the Republican-controlled House still refuses to consider the 
Senate bill despite this very serious threat to millions of businesses 
and residential neighborhoods across the country. The Postal Service 
processed over 167 billion mail pieces in 2011 alone. Further, there 
are nearly 8.4 million jobs and over $1 trillion in revenue attributed 
to the mailing industry. Sitting back idly, or blindly mandating 
drastic and indiscriminate cuts to essential services, will cause 
immeasurable harm to our economic recovery.
  That is why I have joined my Democratic colleagues in cosponsoring 
sensible reform in Congress to bolster the Postal Service's operations, 
and to clear the path for thoughtful ways to restore the USPS to its 
former prosperity. When there is so much at stake, this is simply not a 
time to politicize these issues. Sadly, that is what my Republican 
colleagues in Congress are doing, and that is the cause of this delay.
  Mr. Speaker, the Postal Service is an American institution that 
unites our Nation and provides reliable and inexpensive services to 
businesses and residents alike. We must recognize the Postal Service as 
the American institution that it is, and act swiftly and appropriately 
to address this issue while there is still time.

                          ____________________