[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 8, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H1033-H1051]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   POSTAL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF 2021

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House 
Resolution 912, I call up the bill (H.R. 3076) to provide stability to 
and enhance the services of the United States Postal Service, and for 
other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 912, in lieu of 
the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the 
Committee on Oversight and Reform printed in the bill, an amendment in 
the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee 
Print 117-32 is adopted and the bill, as amended, is considered as 
read.
  The text of the bill, as amended, is as follows:

                               H.R. 3076

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Postal 
     Service Reform Act of 2022''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.

               TITLE I--POSTAL SERVICE FINANCIAL REFORMS

Sec. 101. Postal Service Health Benefits Program.
Sec. 102. USPS Fairness Act.
Sec. 103. Nonpostal services.

              TITLE II--POSTAL SERVICE OPERATIONAL REFORMS

Sec. 201. Performance targets and transparency.
Sec. 202. Integrated delivery network.
Sec. 203. Review of Postal Service cost attribution guidelines.
Sec. 204. Rural newspaper sustainability.
Sec. 205. Funding of Postal Regulatory Commission.
Sec. 206. Flats operations study and reform.
Sec. 207. Reporting requirements.
Sec. 208. Postal Service transportation selection policy revisions.
Sec. 209. USPS Inspector General oversight of Postal Regulatory 
              Commission.

                        TITLE III--SEVERABILITY

Sec. 301. Severability.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       (a) Commission.--In this Act, the term ``Commission'' means 
     the Postal Regulatory Commission.
       (b) Terms Defined in Title 39, United States Code.--In this 
     Act, the terms ``competitive product'', ``market-dominant 
     product'', and ``Postal Service'' have the meanings given 
     those terms in section 102 of title 39, United States Code.

               TITLE I--POSTAL SERVICE FINANCIAL REFORMS

     SEC. 101. POSTAL SERVICE HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, 
     is amended by inserting after section 8903b the following:

     ``Sec. 8903c. Postal Service Health Benefits Program

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
       ``(1) the term `covered Medicare individual' means an 
     individual who is entitled to benefits under Medicare part A, 
     but excluding an individual who is eligible to enroll under 
     such part under section 1818 or 1818A of the Social Security 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i-2, 1395i-2a);
       ``(2) the term `initial contract year' means the contract 
     year beginning in January of 2025;
       ``(3) the term `initial participating carrier' means a 
     carrier that enters into a contract with the Office to 
     participate in the Program during the initial contract year;
       ``(4) the term `Medicare part A' means part A of title 
     XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395c et seq.);
       ``(5) the term `Medicare part B' means part B of title 
     XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395j et seq.);
       ``(6) the term `Office' means the Office of Personnel 
     Management;
       ``(7) the term `Postal Service' means the United States 
     Postal Service;
       ``(8) the term `Postal Service annuitant' means an 
     annuitant enrolled in a health benefits plan under this 
     chapter whose Government contribution is required to be paid 
     under section 8906(g)(2);
       ``(9) the term `Postal Service employee' means an employee 
     of the Postal Service enrolled in a health benefits plan 
     under this chapter whose Government contribution is paid by 
     the Postal Service;
       ``(10) the term `Postal Service Medicare covered annuitant' 
     means an individual who--
       ``(A) is a Postal Service annuitant; and
       ``(B) is a covered Medicare individual;
       ``(11) the term `Program' means the Postal Service Health 
     Benefits Program established under subsection (c) within the 
     Federal Employees Health Benefits Program;
       ``(12) the term `Program plan' means a health benefits plan 
     offered under the Program; and
       ``(13) the definitions set forth in section 8901 shall 
     apply, and for the purposes of applying such definitions in 
     carrying out this section, a Postal Service employee and 
     Postal Service annuitant shall be treated in the same manner 
     as an employee and an annuitant (as those terms are defined 
     in paragraphs (1) and (3), respectively, of section 8901), 
     consistent with the requirements of this section.
       ``(b) Application.--The requirements under this section 
     shall--
       ``(1) apply to the initial contract year and each contract 
     year thereafter; and
       ``(2) supersede any other provision of this chapter 
     inconsistent with such requirements, as determined by the 
     Office.
       ``(c) Establishment of the Postal Service Health Benefits 
     Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--
       ``(A) Establishment.--The Office shall establish the Postal 
     Service Health Benefits Program within the Federal Employees 
     Health Benefits Program under this chapter, under which the 
     Office may contract with carriers to offer health benefits 
     plans as described under this section.
       ``(B) Applicability of chapter requirements to contracts.--
     Except as otherwise provided in this section, any contract 
     described in subparagraph (A) shall be consistent with the 
     requirements of this chapter for contracts under section 8902 
     with carriers to offer health benefits plans other than under 
     this section.
       ``(C) Program plans and participation.--The Program shall--
       ``(i) to the greatest extent practicable--

       ``(I) with respect to each plan provided by a carrier under 
     this subchapter in which the total enrollment includes, in 
     the contract year beginning in January 2023, 1,500 or more 
     enrollees who are Postal Service employees or Postal Service 
     annuitants, include a plan offered by that carrier with 
     equivalent benefits and cost-sharing requirements as provided 
     under paragraph (2), except that the Director of the Office 
     may exempt any comprehensive medical plan from this 
     requirement; and
       ``(II) include plans offered by any other carrier 
     determined appropriate by the Office;

       ``(ii) provide for enrollment in Program plans of Postal 
     Service employees and Postal Service annuitants, in 
     accordance with subsection (d);
       ``(iii) provide for enrollment in a Program plan as an 
     individual, for self plus one, or for self and family; and
       ``(iv) not provide for enrollment in a Program plan of an 
     individual who is not a Postal Service employee or Postal 
     Service annuitant (except as a member of family of such an 
     employee or annuitant or as provided under paragraph (4)).
       ``(2) Coverage with equivalent benefits and cost-sharing.--
     In the initial contract year, the Office shall ensure that 
     each carrier participating in the Program provides under the 
     Program plans offered by the carrier benefits and cost-
     sharing requirements that are equivalent to the benefits and 
     cost-sharing requirements under the health benefits plans 
     offered by the carrier under this chapter that are not 
     Program plans, except that prescription drug benefits and 
     cost-sharing requirements may differ between the Program 
     plans and other health benefits plans offered by the carrier 
     under this chapter to the extent needed to integrate the 
     Medicare part D prescription drug benefits coverage required 
     under subsection (h)(2).
       ``(3) Applicability of federal employees health benefits 
     program requirements.--Except as otherwise set forth in this 
     section, the provisions of this chapter applicable to health 
     benefits plans offered by carriers under section 8903 or 
     8903a shall apply to plans offered under the Program.
       ``(4) Application of continuation coverage.--In accordance 
     with rules established by the Office, section 8905a shall 
     apply to health benefits plans offered under this section in 
     the same manner as such section applies to other health 
     benefits plans offered under this chapter.
       ``(d) Election of Coverage.--Each Postal Service employee 
     and Postal Service annuitant who elects to receive health 
     benefits coverage under this chapter--
       ``(1) shall be subject to the requirements of this section; 
     and
       ``(2) may not enroll in any other health benefits plan 
     offered under any other section of this chapter.
       ``(e) Requirement of Medicare Enrollment for Certain 
     Annuitants and Their Family Members.--
       ``(1) Medicare covered annuitants.--Except as provided 
     under paragraph (3), a Postal Service Medicare covered 
     annuitant may not enroll in a Program plan unless the 
     annuitant is entitled to benefits under Medicare part A and 
     enrolled in Medicare part B.
       ``(2) Medicare covered family members.--Except as provided 
     under paragraph (3), in the case of a Postal Service 
     annuitant who is entitled to benefits under Medicare part A 
     and required under this subsection to enroll in Medicare part 
     B to enroll under the Program, if a member of family of such 
     Postal Service annuitant is a covered Medicare individual, 
     that member of family may not enroll under the Program as a 
     member of family of the Postal Service annuitant unless that 
     member of family is entitled to benefits under Medicare part 
     A and enrolled in Medicare part B.
       ``(3) Exceptions.--
       ``(A) In general.--The requirements under paragraphs (1) 
     and (2), as applicable, shall not apply with respect to an 
     individual in the following cases:
       ``(i) Current postal service annuitants.--The individual, 
     as of January 1, 2025, is a Postal Service annuitant who is 
     not both entitled to benefits under Medicare part A and 
     enrolled in Medicare part B.
       ``(ii) Current employees aged 64 and over.--The individual, 
     as of January 1, 2025, is

[[Page H1034]]

     a Postal Service employee and is at least 64 years of age.
       ``(iii) Postal service medicare covered annuitants and 
     family members residing abroad.--For any contract year with 
     respect to which the individual is a Postal Service Medicare 
     covered annuitant or a member of family of a Postal Service 
     Medicare covered annuitant and resides outside the United 
     States (which includes the States, the District of Columbia, 
     the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, 
     American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands), provided 
     that the individual demonstrates such residency to the Postal 
     Service in accordance with regulations issued by the Postal 
     Service.
       ``(iv) Postal service medicare covered annuitants and 
     family members enrolled under va coverage.--The individual--

       ``(I) is a Postal Service Medicare covered annuitant or a 
     member of family of a Postal Service Medicare covered 
     annuitant; and
       ``(II) is enrolled in health care benefits provided by the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs under subchapter II of chapter 
     17 of title 38, United States Code.

       ``(v) Postal service medicare covered annuitants and family 
     members eligible for ihs health services.--The individual--

       ``(I) is a Postal Service Medicare covered annuitant or a 
     member of family of a Postal Service Medicare covered 
     annuitant; and
       ``(II) is eligible for health services from the Indian 
     Health Service.

       ``(B) Regulations for va and ihs exceptions.--Not later 
     than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the 
     Office shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the 
     Postmaster General, promulgate any regulations necessary to 
     implement clauses (iv) and (v) of subparagraph (A).
       ``(C) List of individuals residing abroad.--The Postal 
     Service shall provide a list of individuals who satisfy the 
     exception under subparagraph (A)(iii) to the Office.
       ``(4) Process for information collection and 
     dissemination.--The Postal Service and the Office, in 
     consultation with the Social Security Administration and the 
     Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, shall establish a 
     process that will enable the Postal Service to timely inform 
     Postal Service employees, Postal Service annuitants, and 
     members of family of such employees and annuitants of the 
     requirements described in paragraphs (1) and (2) in order to 
     be eligible to enroll in Program plans under this section.
       ``(f) Transitional Open Season.--
       ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
       ``(A) the term `current option', with respect to an 
     individual, means the option under a plan under this chapter 
     in which the individual is enrolled during the contract year 
     preceding the initial contract year; and
       ``(B) the term `current plan', with respect to an 
     individual, means the plan under this chapter in which the 
     individual is enrolled during the contract year preceding the 
     initial contract year.
       ``(2) Automatic enrollment.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), in 
     the case of an individual who is a Postal Service employee or 
     Postal Service annuitant eligible to enroll in a Program plan 
     under subsection (d), who is enrolled in a current plan, and 
     who does not enroll in a Program plan during the open season 
     that immediately precedes the initial contract year, the 
     Office shall automatically enroll the individual, as of the 
     start of the initial contract year, in a Program plan offered 
     by the carrier of the individual's current plan.
       ``(B) Carriers offering multiple program plans or 
     options.--If the carrier of the current plan of an individual 
     described in subparagraph (A) offers more than 1 Program plan 
     or option, the Office, in carrying out subparagraph (A), 
     shall automatically enroll the individual in the plan and 
     option that provide coverage with equivalent benefits and 
     cost sharing, as described in subsection (c)(2), to the 
     individual's current plan and current option.
       ``(C) Carriers not offering program plans.--If the carrier 
     of the current plan of an individual described in 
     subparagraph (A) does not offer a Program plan, the Office, 
     in carrying out subparagraph (A), shall automatically enroll 
     the individual in the lowest-cost nationwide plan option 
     within the Program that is not a high deductible health plan 
     and does not charge an association or membership fee.
       ``(g) OPM Regulations.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this section, the Director of the Office shall 
     issue regulations to carry out this section.
       ``(2) Consultation.--In issuing regulations under paragraph 
     (1), the Director of the Office shall consult, as necessary, 
     with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Commissioner of Social 
     Security, and the Postmaster General.
       ``(3) Contents.--The regulations issued under paragraph (1) 
     shall include--
       ``(A) any provisions necessary to implement this section;
       ``(B) a process under which Postal Service annuitants and 
     affected family members are timely informed of the enrollment 
     requirements and may request, in writing, any additional 
     enrollment information;
       ``(C) provisions under which a Postal Service employee or 
     Postal Service annuitant enrolled under the Program may 
     request a belated change of plan and may be prospectively 
     enrolled in the plan of the employee's or annuitant's choice; 
     and
       ``(D) provisions for individuals to cancel coverage under 
     the Program in writing to the Postal Service because the 
     individuals choose not to enroll in, or to disenroll from, 
     Medicare part B.
       ``(h) Medicare Coordination.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Office shall require each Program 
     plan to provide benefits for covered Medicare individuals 
     pursuant to a coordination of benefits method approved by the 
     Office.
       ``(2) Medicare part d prescription drug benefits.--The 
     Office shall require each Program plan to provide 
     prescription drug benefits to any Postal Service annuitant 
     and member of family of such annuitant who is a part D 
     eligible individual (as defined in section 1860D-1(a)(3)(A) 
     of the Social Security Act) through employment-based retiree 
     health coverage (as defined in section 1860D-22(c)(1) of such 
     Act) through--
       ``(A) a prescription drug plan (as defined in section 
     1860D-41(a)(14) of such Act); or
       ``(B) contracts between such a Program plan and PDP 
     sponsor, as defined in section 1860D-41(a)(13) of such Act, 
     of such a prescription drug plan.
       ``(i) Postal Service Contribution.--
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to subsection (k), for purposes 
     of applying section 8906(b) to the Postal Service, the 
     weighted average shall be calculated in accordance with 
     paragraphs (2) and (3).
       ``(2) Weighted average calculation.--Not later than October 
     1 of each year (beginning with 2024), the Office shall 
     determine the weighted average of the rates established 
     pursuant to subsection (c)(2) for Program plans that will be 
     in effect during the following contract year with respect 
     to--
       ``(A) enrollments for self only;
       ``(B) enrollments for self plus one; and
       ``(C) enrollments for self and family.
       ``(3) Weighting in computing rates for initial contract 
     year.--In determining such weighted average of the rates for 
     the initial contract year, the Office shall take into account 
     (for purposes of section 8906(a)(2)) the enrollment of Postal 
     Service employees and annuitants in the health benefits plans 
     offered by the initial participating carriers as of March 31, 
     2022.
       ``(4) Payment of late enrollment penalties.--The Postal 
     Service may direct the Office to pay the amounts required by 
     section 1839(e) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1395r(e)) from the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits 
     Fund established under section 8909a until depleted and 
     thereafter shall pay such amounts from the Postal Service 
     Fund established under section 2003 of title 39.
       ``(j) Reserves.--
       ``(1) Separate reserves.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Office shall ensure that each 
     Program plan maintains separate reserves (including a 
     separate contingency reserve) with respect to the enrollees 
     in the Program plan in accordance with section 8909.
       ``(B) Applicability of section 8909 to contingency 
     reserves.--All provisions of section 8909 relating to 
     contingency reserves shall apply to contingency reserves of 
     Program plans in the same manner as to the contingency 
     reserves of other plans under this chapter, except to the 
     extent that such provisions are inconsistent with the 
     requirements of this subsection.
       ``(C) References.--For purposes of the Program, each 
     reference to `the Government' in section 8909 shall be deemed 
     to be a reference to the Postal Service.
       ``(D) Amounts to be credited.--The reserves (including the 
     separate contingency reserve) maintained by each Program plan 
     shall be credited with a proportionate amount of the funds in 
     the reserves for health benefits plans offered by the 
     carrier.
       ``(2) Discontinuation of program plan.--In applying section 
     8909(e) relating to a Program plan that is discontinued, the 
     Office shall credit the separate Postal Service contingency 
     reserve maintained under paragraph (1) for that plan only to 
     the separate Postal Service contingency reserves of the 
     Program plans continuing under this chapter.
       ``(k) No Effect on Existing Law.--Nothing in this section 
     shall be construed as affecting section 1005(f) of title 39 
     regarding variations, additions, or substitutions to the 
     provisions of this chapter.
       ``(l) Health Benefits Education Program.--
       ``(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `navigator' 
     means an employee of the Postal Service or of a contractor of 
     the Postal Service who is designated by the Postal Service or 
     contractor to carry out activities under paragraph (5).
       ``(2) Establishment.--Not later than 18 months after the 
     date of enactment of this section, the Postal Service shall 
     establish a Health Benefits Education Program.
       ``(3) Requirements.--In carrying out the Health Benefits 
     Education Program established under paragraph (2), the Postal 
     Service shall--
       ``(A) notify Postal Service annuitants and Postal Service 
     employees about the Postal Service Health Benefits Program 
     established under subsection (c)(1);
       ``(B) provide information regarding the Postal Service 
     Health Benefits Program and the requirements of this section 
     to Postal Service annuitants and Postal Service employees, 
     including--
       ``(i) a description of the health care options available 
     under such Program;
       ``(ii) the enrollment provisions of subsection (d); and
       ``(iii) the requirement that Postal Service annuitants and 
     their family members be enrolled in Medicare under subsection 
     (e);
       ``(C) respond and provide answers to any inquiry from such 
     employees and annuitants about the Postal Service Health 
     Benefits Program, in consultation with the Office as 
     necessary;
       ``(D) refer individuals to the Centers for Medicare & 
     Medicaid Services and the Social Security Administration that 
     provide information

[[Page H1035]]

     about Medicare enrollment and options under the Medicare 
     program under XVIII of the Social Security Act; and
       ``(E) carry out, or provide for through contract or other 
     arrangement, the activities described in paragraph (5).
       ``(4) Information.--
       ``(A) Information from opm.--The Office shall timely 
     provide the Postal Service with such information as necessary 
     to conduct the Health Benefits Education Program.
       ``(B) Coordination with opm.--The Postal Service shall 
     coordinate with the Office, in consultation with the Centers 
     for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Social Security 
     Administration, to obtain and confirm the accuracy of 
     information as the Postal Service determines to be necessary 
     to conduct the Health Benefits Education Program.
       ``(5) Navigator activities.--
       ``(A) Activities.--The activities described in this 
     paragraph, with respect to Program plans and the health care 
     options available under the Program, are the following:
       ``(i) Educational activities for annuitants and employees 
     of the Postal Service to raise awareness of the availability 
     of Program plans and requirements for enrolling in such 
     plans, including requirements to be entitled to Medicare part 
     A and enroll in Medicare part B.
       ``(ii) Distribution of fair and impartial information 
     concerning enrollment in such plans.
       ``(iii) Facilitation of enrollment in such plans.
       ``(iv) Provision of information in a manner that is 
     culturally and linguistically appropriate to the needs of the 
     population being served by the Program plans.
       ``(B) Standards.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Postal Service shall establish 
     standards for navigators carrying out the activities under 
     this paragraph to--

       ``(I) engage in the navigator activities described in 
     subparagraph (A); and
       ``(II) avoid conflicts of interest.

       ``(ii) Contents.--The standards established under clause 
     (i) shall provide that a navigator may not--

       ``(I) be a health insurance carrier; or
       ``(II) receive any consideration directly or indirectly 
     from any health insurance carrier in connection with the 
     enrollment of any individual in a Program plan.

       ``(C) Fair and impartial information and services.--The 
     Postal Service, in consultation as necessary with the Office 
     and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, shall 
     develop standards to ensure that information made available 
     by navigators under this paragraph is fair, accurate, and 
     impartial.
       ``(6) Regulations.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date 
     of enactment of this section, the Postmaster General shall 
     issue regulations to establish the Health Benefits Education 
     Program required under this subsection.
       ``(B) Contents.--The regulations issued under subparagraph 
     (A) shall include--
       ``(i) provisions for the notification of Postal Service 
     annuitants and Postal Service employees about the Program, 
     including a description of the available health benefits 
     options, including a process for notifying Postal Service 
     employees who become eligible for Medicare part B and Postal 
     Service Medicare covered annuitants about their choices;
       ``(ii) provisions for notifying Postal Service annuitants, 
     Postal Service employees, and their family members of the 
     requirements under subsection (e) to enroll in Medicare as a 
     condition of eligibility to enroll in the Program; and
       ``(iii) a process, developed in consultation with the 
     Social Security Administration, the Centers for Medicare & 
     Medicaid Services, and the Office, for addressing any inquiry 
     from Postal Service annuitants and Postal Service employees 
     about the Program or Medicare enrollment.''.
       (2) Technical and conforming amendments.--
       (A) Service benefit plans.--Section 8903(1) of title 5, 
     United States Code, is amended by striking ``two levels of 
     benefits'' and inserting ``at least 2 levels of benefits for 
     enrollees under this chapter generally and at least 2 levels 
     of benefits for enrollees under the Postal Service Health 
     Benefits Program established under section 8903c''.
       (B) Table of sections.--The table of sections for chapter 
     89 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 8903b the following:

``8903c. Postal Service Health Benefits Program.''.
       (b) Coordination With Medicare.--
       (1) Part b special enrollment period.--Section 1837 of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395p) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following new subsection:
       ``(o)(1) In the case of an individual who--
       ``(A) as of January 1, 2024, is--
       ``(i) a Postal Service annuitant who is entitled to 
     benefits under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security 
     Act, but excluding an individual who is eligible to enroll 
     under such part under section 1818 of such Act or 1818A of 
     such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i-2, 1395i-2a); or
       ``(ii) a member of family (as defined in section 8901(5) of 
     title 5, United States Code) of a Postal Service annuitant 
     and is entitled to benefits under part A of title XVIII of 
     the Social Security Act, but excluding an individual who is 
     eligible to enroll under such part under section 1818 of such 
     Act or 1818A of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i-2, 1395i-2a); and
       ``(B) is not enrolled under this part, the individual may 
     elect to be enrolled under this part during a special 
     enrollment period during the 6-month period beginning on 
     April 1, 2024.
       ``(2) In this subsection, the term `Postal Service 
     annuitant' means an annuitant enrolled in a health benefits 
     plan under chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, whose 
     Government contribution is required to be paid under section 
     8906(g)(2) of such title.''.
       (2) Technical and conforming amendments.--
       (A) Part a enrollment.--Section 1818(c) of the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i-2(c)) is amended, in the matter 
     preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``(except subsection (f) 
     thereof)'' and inserting ``(except subsections (f) and (o) 
     thereof)''.
       (B) Coverage period under part b.--Section 1838 of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395q) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:
       ``(i) Notwithstanding subsection (a), in the case of an 
     individual who enrolls during a special enrollment period 
     pursuant to section 1837(o), the coverage period shall begin 
     on January 1, 2025.''.
       (3) Treatment of part b late enrollment penalty for 
     individuals enrolling during special enrollment period.--
     Section 1839(e) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1395r(e)) is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(as defined in 
     paragraph (3)(A))'' and by inserting ``(as defined in 
     paragraph (3)(A)(i)). The Secretary shall enter into an 
     agreement with the United States Postal Service under which 
     the United States Postal Service agrees to pay on a quarterly 
     or other periodic basis to the Secretary (to be deposited in 
     the Treasury to the credit of the Federal Supplementary 
     Medical Insurance Trust Fund) an amount equal to the amount 
     of the part B late enrollment premium increases with respect 
     to the premiums for eligible individuals (as defined in 
     paragraph (3)(A)(ii)).''; and
       (B) by amending paragraph (3)(A) to read as follows:
       ``(A) The term `eligible individual' means an individual 
     who is enrolled under this part B and who--
       ``(i) in the case of an agreement entered into under the 
     first sentence of paragraph (1), is within a class of 
     individuals specified in such agreement; and
       ``(ii) in the case of an agreement entered into under the 
     second sentence of paragraph (1), is so enrolled under this 
     part pursuant to the special enrollment period under section 
     1837(o).''.
       (4) Part d egwp contracting conforming amendment.--Section 
     1860D-22(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-
     132(b)) is amended by inserting before the period at the end 
     the following: ``, and shall be applied in a manner to 
     facilitate the offering of prescription drug benefits under a 
     Program plan under section 8903c of title 5, United States 
     Code, as required under subsection (h)(2) of such section, 
     through employment-based retiree health coverage through: (1) 
     a prescription drug plan; or (2) contracts between such a 
     Program plan and the PDP sponsor of such a prescription drug 
     plan.''.
       (c) Information Sharing and Dissemination Required for 
     Special Enrollment Period and Enforcement of Part B 
     Enrollment Requirements.--
       (1) Definitions.--In this subsection, the terms ``Medicare 
     part A'', ``Medicare part B'', ``Office'', ``Postal 
     Service'', and ``Postal Service annuitant'' have the meanings 
     given those terms in section 8903c of title 5, United States 
     Code, as added by subsection (a).
       (2) Information sharing by opm.--The Office shall, by 
     regulation, establish a process for providing such 
     information as is necessary to the Social Security 
     Administration regarding Postal Service annuitants (and the 
     family members of such annuitants) who may be eligible to 
     enroll under Medicare part B during the special enrollment 
     period described in subsection (o) of section 1837 of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395p), as added by subsection 
     (b).
       (3) Information sharing by ssa.--The Social Security 
     Administration shall provide to the Office and the Postal 
     Service information regarding whether a Postal Service 
     annuitant, or a family member of such an annuitant, is 
     entitled to benefits under Medicare part A and enrolled under 
     Medicare part B, to assist the Office and the Postal Service 
     in determining--
       (A) which Postal Service annuitants, and family members of 
     such annuitants, are eligible to enroll under Medicare part B 
     during the special enrollment period described in paragraph 
     (2); and
       (B) whether Postal Service annuitants, and family members 
     of such annuitants, satisfy the enrollment requirements 
     described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 8903c(e) of 
     title 5, United States Code, as added by subsection (a).
       (4) Determination and dissemination.--The Office shall 
     determine which Postal Service annuitants are eligible to 
     enroll under Medicare part B during the special enrollment 
     period described in paragraph (2) and provide such 
     information to the Social Security Administration, the 
     Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Postal 
     Service.
       (d) Funding.--
       (1) CMS appropriation.--In addition to amounts otherwise 
     available, there is appropriated to ``Centers for Medicare & 
     Medicaid Services--Program Management'', out of any monies in 
     the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $7,500,000 for 
     fiscal year 2022, to remain available until expended, for 
     purposes of carrying out this section, including the 
     amendments made by this section.
       (2) SSA appropriation.--
       (A) In general.--In addition to amounts otherwise 
     available, there is appropriated to the Social Security 
     Administration, out of any monies in the Treasury not 
     otherwise appropriated, $16,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, to 
     remain available until the date that is 1 year after the last 
     day of the special enrollment period described in subsection 
     (c)(2), for purposes of carrying out this section, with the 
     exception of carrying out subsection (c)(3)(B), including the 
     amendments made by this section.
       (B) Relation to other appropriation.--The amounts 
     appropriated under subparagraph (A)

[[Page H1036]]

     shall be in addition to the Social Security Administration's 
     Limitation on Administrative Expenditure appropriations.
       (3) OPM appropriation.--In addition to amounts otherwise 
     available, there is appropriated to the Office of Personnel 
     Management, out of any monies in the Treasury not otherwise 
     appropriated, $70,500,000 for fiscal year 2022, to remain 
     available until expended, for purposes of carrying out this 
     section, including the amendments made by this section.
       (4) Funds credited by postal service.--The United States 
     Postal Service shall credit to the Treasury from the Postal 
     Service Fund in fiscal year 2022 an amount equal to the sum 
     of the amounts appropriated under paragraphs (1), (2), and 
     (3).
       (5) Reimbursement for periodic ssa data sharing.--
       (A) Inter-agency agreement.--The Commissioner of Social 
     Security shall enter into an agreement with the Director of 
     the Office under which the Director pays the Commissioner 
     from the Postal Service administrative reserve the full costs 
     (including systems and administrative costs) of providing the 
     information described in subsection (c)(3)(B).
       (B) Report to congress.--The Director of the Office--
       (i) shall report the amount paid under subparagraph (A) 
     annually to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Oversight and Reform of the House of Representatives; and
       (ii) may satisfy the requirement under clause (i) by 
     including the amount paid under subparagraph (A) in any other 
     annual report submitted to Congress.

     SEC. 102. USPS FAIRNESS ACT.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``USPS 
     Fairness Act''.
       (b) Rational Benefits Funding and Accounting.--
       (1) In general.--Section 8909a of title 5, United States 
     Code, is amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(d)(1) Not later than June 30, 2026, and by June 30 of 
     each succeeding year, the Office shall compute, for the most 
     recently concluded fiscal year, the amount (if any) that 
     Government contributions required to be paid from the Fund 
     under section 8906(g)(2)(A) exceeded the estimated net claims 
     costs under the enrollment of the individuals described in 
     section 8906(g)(2)(A).
       ``(2) Not later than September 30 of each year in which the 
     Office makes a computation under paragraph (1), the United 
     States Postal Service shall pay into the Fund the amount (if 
     any) of the excess computed under such paragraph.
       ``(e) Any computation required under section 3654(b) of 
     title 39 shall be based on--
       ``(1) the net present value of the future net claims costs 
     with respect to--
       ``(A) current annuitants of the United States Postal 
     Service as of the end of the fiscal year ending on September 
     30 of the relevant reporting year; and
       ``(B) current employees of the United States Postal Service 
     who would, as of September 30 of that year--
       ``(i) be eligible to become annuitants pursuant to section 
     8901(3)(A)(i) or (ii); and
       ``(ii) if they were retired as of that date, meet the 
     criteria for coverage of annuitants under section 8905(b);
       ``(2) economic and actuarial methods and assumptions 
     consistent with the methods and assumptions used in 
     determining the Postal surplus or supplemental liability 
     under section 8348(h); and
       ``(3) any other methods and assumptions, including a health 
     care cost trend rate, that the Director of the Office 
     determines to be appropriate.
       ``(f) After consultation with the United States Postal 
     Service, the Office shall promulgate any regulations the 
     Office determines necessary under this subsection.
       ``(g) For purposes of this section, the term `estimated net 
     claims costs' shall mean the difference between--
       ``(1) the sum of--
       ``(A) the estimated costs incurred by a carrier in 
     providing health services to, paying for health services 
     provided to, or reimbursing expenses for health services 
     provided to, annuitants of the United States Postal Service 
     and any other persons covered under the enrollment of such 
     annuitants; and
       ``(B) an amount of indirect expenses reasonably allocable 
     to the provision, payment, or reimbursement described in 
     subparagraph (A), as determined by the Office; and
       ``(2) the amount withheld from the annuity of or paid by 
     annuitants of the United States Postal Service under section 
     8906.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The heading of section 8909a of 
     title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking 
     ``Benefit'' and inserting ``Benefits''.
       (c) Application.--
       (1) Cancellation of payments.--Any payment required from 
     the Postal Service under section 8909a of title 5, United 
     States Code, as in effect on the day before the date of 
     enactment of this Act that remains unpaid as of such date of 
     enactment is canceled.
       (2) Effect of this act.--In any determination relating to 
     the future liability for retiree health benefits of the 
     United States Postal Service or the Postal Service Retiree 
     Health Benefits Fund, the Office of Personnel Management 
     shall take into account the actual and reasonably expected 
     effects of this Act.
       (d) Use of Funds From Sale of Real Property for Certain 
     Payments.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 29 of title 39, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 2903. Use of funds from sale of property

       ``In the event that the Postal Service permanently ceases 
     operations, any funds derived from the sale of any real 
     property owned by the Postal Service shall be used to pay any 
     outstanding liability with respect to the salaries and 
     expenses of any Postal Service employee. The balance of any 
     remaining funds shall be deposited into the Postal Service 
     Retiree Health Benefits Fund established under section 8909a 
     of title 5.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections of such 
     chapter is amended by adding after the item relating to 
     section 2902 the following new item:

``2903. Use of funds from sale of property.''.

     SEC. 103. NONPOSTAL SERVICES.

       (a) Nonpostal Services.--
       (1) In general.--Part IV of title 39, United States Code, 
     is amended by adding after chapter 36 the following:

                    ``CHAPTER 37--NONPOSTAL SERVICES

``Sec.
``3701. Purpose.
``3702. Definitions.
``3703. Postal Service program for State governments.
``3704. Postal Service program for other Government agencies.
``3705. Transparency and accountability for nonpostal services.

     ``Sec. 3701. Purpose

       ``The purpose of this chapter is to enable the Postal 
     Service to increase its net revenues through specific 
     nonpostal products and services that are expressly authorized 
     by this chapter.

     ``Sec. 3702. Definitions

       ``In this chapter--
       ``(1) the term `nonpostal services' is limited to services 
     offered by the Postal Service that are expressly authorized 
     by this chapter and are not postal products or services;
       ``(2) the term `costs attributable' has the meaning given 
     such term in section 3631;
       ``(3) the term `year' means a fiscal year;
       ``(4) the term `local government' means a county, 
     municipality, city, town, township, local public authority, 
     school district, special district, intrastate district, 
     council of governments, or regional or interstate government 
     entity;
       ``(5) the term `State government' includes the government 
     of the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
     the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the 
     Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other 
     territory or possession of the United States;
       ``(6) the term `tribal government' means the government of 
     an Indian tribe, as that term is defined in section 4 of the 
     Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
     U.S.C. 5304); and
       ``(7) the term `United States', when used in a geographical 
     sense, means the States, the District of Columbia, the 
     Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin 
     Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the 
     Northern Mariana Islands, and any other territory or 
     possession of the United States.

     ``Sec. 3703. Postal Service program for State governments

       ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     this title, the Postal Service may establish a program to 
     enter into agreements with an agency of any State government, 
     local government, or tribal government to provide property or 
     nonpostal services to the public on behalf of such agencies 
     for non-commercial purposes, but only if--
       ``(1) such property or nonpostal services--
       ``(A) provide enhanced value to the public, such as by 
     lowering the cost or raising the quality of such services or 
     by making such services more accessible;
       ``(B) do not interfere with or detract from the value of 
     postal services, including by--
       ``(i) harming the cost and efficiency of postal services; 
     and
       ``(ii) unreasonably restricting access to postal retail 
     service, such as customer waiting time and access to parking; 
     and
       ``(2) such agreements provide a net contribution to the 
     Postal Service, defined as reimbursement that covers at least 
     100 percent of the costs attributable to all property and 
     nonpostal services provided under each relevant agreement in 
     each year, except that agreements determined to be 
     substantially similar by the Postal Service with the 
     concurrence of the Postal Regulatory Commission shall be 
     reviewed based on their collective revenue and costs 
     attributable.
       ``(b) Public Notice.--Not more than 90 days after offering 
     a service under the program, the Postal Service shall make 
     available to the public on its website--
       ``(1) the agreement with the agency regarding such service; 
     and
       ``(2) a business plan that describes the specific property 
     or nonpostal service to be provided, the enhanced value to 
     the public, and terms of reimbursement to the Postal Service.
       ``(c) Approval Required.--The Postal Service may not 
     establish the program under subsection (a) unless the 
     Governors of the Postal Service approve such program by a 
     recorded vote that is publicly disclosed on the Postal 
     Service website with a majority of the Governors then in 
     office voting for approval.
       ``(d) Confidential Information.--Subsection (b) shall not 
     be construed as requiring the Postal Service to disclose to 
     the public any information--
       ``(1) described in section 410(c); or
       ``(2) exempt from public disclosure under section 552(b) of 
     title 5.

     ``Sec. 3704. Postal Service program for other Government 
       agencies

       ``The Postal Service may establish a program to provide 
     property and nonpostal services to

[[Page H1037]]

     other Government agencies within the meaning of section 411, 
     but only if such program provides a net contribution to the 
     Postal Service, defined as reimbursement that covers at least 
     100 percent of the costs attributable for property and 
     nonpostal services provided by the Postal Service in each 
     year to such agencies.

     ``Sec. 3705. Transparency and accountability for nonpostal 
       services

       ``(a) Annual Report to the Commission.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the last 
     day of each year, the Postal Service shall submit to the 
     Postal Regulatory Commission a report that analyzes costs, 
     revenues, rates, and quality of service for each agreement or 
     substantially similar set of agreements for the provision of 
     property or nonpostal services under section 3703 or the 
     program as a whole under section 3704, and any other 
     nonpostal service authorized under this chapter, using such 
     methodologies as the Commission may prescribe, and in 
     sufficient detail to demonstrate compliance with the 
     requirements of this chapter.
       ``(2) Supporting matter.--A report submitted under 
     paragraph (1) shall include any nonpublic annex, the working 
     papers, and any other supporting matter of the Postal Service 
     and the Inspector General related to the information 
     submitted in such report.
       ``(b) Content and Form of Report.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Postal Regulatory Commission shall, 
     by regulation, prescribe the content and form of the report 
     required under subsection (a). In prescribing such 
     regulations, the Commission shall give due consideration to--
       ``(A) providing the public with timely, adequate 
     information to assess compliance;
       ``(B) avoiding unnecessary or unwarranted administrative 
     effort and expense on the part of the Postal Service; and
       ``(C) protecting the confidentiality of information that is 
     commercially sensitive or is exempt from public disclosure 
     under section 552(b) of title 5.
       ``(2) Revised requirements.--The Commission may, on its own 
     motion or on request of any interested party, initiate 
     proceedings to improve the quality, accuracy, or completeness 
     of Postal Service data required by the Commission if--
       ``(A) the attribution of costs or revenues to property, 
     products, or services under this chapter has become 
     significantly inaccurate or can be significantly improved;
       ``(B) the quality of service data provided to the 
     Commission for a report under this chapter has become 
     significantly inaccurate or can be significantly improved; or
       ``(C) such revisions are, in the judgment of the 
     Commission, otherwise necessitated by the public interest.
       ``(c) Audits.--The Inspector General shall regularly audit 
     the data collection systems and procedures used in collecting 
     information and preparing the report required under 
     subsection (a). The results of any such audit shall be 
     submitted to the Postal Service and the Postal Regulatory 
     Commission.
       ``(d) Confidential Information.--
       ``(1) In general.--If the Postal Service determines that 
     any document or portion of a document, or other matter, which 
     it provides to the Postal Regulatory Commission in a 
     nonpublic annex under this section contains information 
     described in section 410(c), or exempt from public disclosure 
     under section 552(b) of title 5, the Postal Service shall, at 
     the time of providing such matter to the Commission, notify 
     the Commission of its determination, in writing, and describe 
     with particularity the documents (or portions of documents) 
     or other matter for which confidentiality is sought and the 
     reasons therefor.
       ``(2) Treatment.--Any information or other matter described 
     in paragraph (1) to which the Commission gains access under 
     this section shall be subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of 
     section 504(g) in the same way as if the Commission had 
     received notification with respect to such matter under 
     section 504(g)(1).
       ``(e) Annual Compliance Determination.--
       ``(1) Opportunity for public comment.--Upon receiving a 
     report required under subsection (a), the Postal Regulatory 
     Commission shall promptly--
       ``(A) provide an opportunity for comment on such report by 
     any interested party; and
       ``(B) appoint an officer of the Commission to represent the 
     interests of the general public.
       ``(2) Determination of compliance or noncompliance.--Not 
     later than 90 days after receiving a report required under 
     subsection (a), the Postal Regulatory Commission shall make a 
     written determination as to whether the activities carried 
     out pursuant to this chapter during the applicable year were 
     or were not in compliance with the provisions of this 
     chapter. For purposes of this paragraph, any case in which 
     the requirements for coverage of costs attributable have not 
     been met shall be considered to be a case of noncompliance. 
     If, with respect to a year, no instance of noncompliance is 
     found to have occurred, the determination shall be to that 
     effect. Such determination of noncompliance shall be included 
     with the annual compliance determination required under 
     section 3653.
       ``(3) Noncompliance.--If a timely written determination of 
     noncompliance is made under paragraph (2), the Postal 
     Regulatory Commission shall take appropriate action. If the 
     requirements for coverage of costs attributable specified by 
     this chapter are not met, the Commission shall, within 60 
     days after the determination, prescribe remedial action to 
     restore compliance as soon as practicable, including the full 
     restoration of revenue shortfalls during the following year. 
     The Commission may order the Postal Service to discontinue a 
     nonpostal service under section 3703 that persistently fails 
     to meet cost coverage requirements.
       ``(4) Deliberate noncompliance.--In the case of deliberate 
     noncompliance by the Postal Service with the requirements of 
     this chapter, the Postal Regulatory Commission may order, 
     based on the nature, circumstances, extent, and seriousness 
     of the noncompliance, a fine (in the amount specified by the 
     Commission in its order) for each incidence of such 
     noncompliance. All receipts from fines imposed under this 
     subsection shall be deposited in the general fund of the 
     Treasury.
       ``(f) Regulations Required.--The Postal Regulatory 
     Commission shall issue such regulations as are necessary to 
     carry out this section.
       ``(g) Experimental Product Authority.--The Postal Service 
     may conduct market tests of agreements pursuant to section 
     3703 and section 3704 of this chapter subject to the same 
     terms and conditions described in section 3641 of this title. 
     For the purposes of a market test, the cost coverage 
     requirements in sections 3703 and 3704 of this chapter shall 
     not apply.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of chapters for part IV 
     of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding after 
     the item relating to chapter 36 the following:

``37. Nonpostal services....................................3701''.....

       (b) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Section 404.--Section 404(e) of title 39, United States 
     Code, is amended in paragraph (2), by inserting after 
     ``subsection'' the following: ``, or any nonpostal products 
     or services authorized by chapter 37''.
       (2) Section 411.--The last sentence of section 411 of title 
     39, United States Code, is amended by striking ``including 
     reimbursability'' and inserting ``including reimbursability 
     within the limitations of chapter 37''.
       (3) Treatment of existing nonpostal services.--All 
     individual nonpostal services, provided directly or through 
     licensing, that are continued pursuant to section 404(e) of 
     title 39, United States Code, shall be considered to be 
     expressly authorized by chapter 37 of such title (as added by 
     subsection (a)(1)) and shall be subject to the requirements 
     of section 3705, subsections (a) through (d).

              TITLE II--POSTAL SERVICE OPERATIONAL REFORMS

     SEC. 201. PERFORMANCE TARGETS AND TRANSPARENCY.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter VII of chapter 36 of title 39, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 
     3691 the following:

     ``Sec. 3692. Performance targets and transparency

       ``(a) Performance Targets.--Each year, to ensure that mail 
     service for postal customers meets the service standards for 
     market-dominant products, established under section 3691, the 
     Postal Service shall--
       ``(1) not later than 60 days after the beginning of the 
     fiscal year in which they will apply, establish and provide 
     to the Postal Regulatory Commission reasonable targets for 
     performance; and
       ``(2) provide the previous fiscal year's performance 
     targets in its Annual Compliance Report to the Postal 
     Regulatory Commission for evaluation of compliance.
       ``(b) Postal Regulatory Commission Determination of Certain 
     Performance Information.--Not later than 90 days after first 
     receiving the performance targets under subsection (a)(1), 
     the Postal Regulatory Commission shall provide to the Postal 
     Service--
       ``(1) requirements for the Postal Service to publish 
     nationwide, regional, and local delivery area performance 
     information in accordance with subsection (c)(2) that--
       ``(A) are consistent with the organizational structure of 
     the delivery network of the Postal Service (including at the 
     District and Area organizational levels, or the functional 
     equivalents, and, to the extent practicable, at the U.S. ZIP 
     Code Area level);
       ``(B) reflect the most granular geographic level of 
     performance information appropriate for the Postal Service to 
     publish; and
       ``(C) includes time period segments for the published 
     geographic levels to satisfy the publishing requirements of 
     subparagraphs (A) and (C) of subsection (c)(2); and
       ``(2) recommendations for any modifications to the Postal 
     Service's measurement systems necessary to measure and 
     publish the performance information under subsection (c)(2) 
     that the Postal Regulatory Commission deems relevant.
       ``(c) Public Performance Dashboard.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Postal Service shall develop and 
     maintain a publicly available Website with an interactive 
     web-tool that provides performance information for market-
     dominant products that is updated on a weekly basis.
       ``(2) Performance information.--The performance information 
     provided for a market-dominant product on the Website shall 
     include--
       ``(A) the type of market-dominant product;
       ``(B) performance information for different geographic 
     areas, consistent with subsection (b);
       ``(C) performance information for different time periods, 
     including annual, quarterly, monthly, and weekly segments;
       ``(D) comparisons of performance information for market-
     dominant products to performance information for previous 
     time periods to facilitate identification of performance 
     trends; and
       ``(E) the performance targets then in effect, and the 
     performance targets for the previous fiscal year, as 
     established under subsection (a)(1).
       ``(3) Comprehensibility.--The Website shall include plain 
     language descriptions of the elements required under 
     paragraph (2) and information on the collection process, 
     measurement methodology, completeness, accuracy, and validity 
     of the performance information provided on the Website.
       ``(4) Address search functionality.--The Website shall 
     include functionality to enable a

[[Page H1038]]

     user to search for performance information by street address, 
     ZIP Code, or post office box.
       ``(5) Format.--The Postal Service shall make the 
     performance information provided on the Website available--
       ``(A) in a manner that--
       ``(i) presents the information required under paragraph (2) 
     on an interactive dashboard;
       ``(ii) is searchable and may be sorted and filtered by the 
     elements described in paragraph (2); and
       ``(iii) to the extent practicable, enables any person or 
     entity to download in bulk--

       ``(I) such performance information; and
       ``(II) the results of a search by the elements described in 
     paragraph (2);

       ``(B) under an `open license' which has the meaning given 
     that term in section 3502 of title 44; and
       ``(C) as an `open Government data asset' and in a `machine-
     readable' format which have the meaning given those terms in 
     section 3502 of title 44.
       ``(6) Consultation.--The Postal Service shall regularly 
     consult with the Postal Regulatory Commission on appropriate 
     features and information to be included on the Website.
       ``(7) Public input.--The Postal Service shall--
       ``(A) solicit public input on the design and implementation 
     of the Website; and
       ``(B) maintain a public feedback tool to ensure each 
     feature of, and the information on, the Website is usable and 
     understandable.
       ``(8) Deadline.--The Postal Service shall implement and 
     make available to the public (and make any subsequent changes 
     in accordance with subsection (b)) the Website not later than 
     60 days from the date on which the Postal Service receives 
     the requirements and recommendations from the Postal 
     Regulatory Commission under subsection (b), and shall 
     continuously update such information on the Website as 
     required by subsection (b).
       ``(9) Availability.--A link and plain language description 
     of the Website shall be made available on any webpage where 
     performance targets and measurements established under 
     subsection (a)(1) are made available to the public.
       ``(10) Reporting.--The Postal Service, the Postmaster 
     General, or the Board, as applicable, shall reference the 
     dashboard described in paragraph (5)(A)(i) in the Annual 
     Performance Plan under section 2803, the Annual Performance 
     Report under section 2804, and the Annual Report under 
     section 2402.
       ``(11) Definitions.--In this subsection--
       ``(A) Performance information.--The term `performance 
     information' means the objective external performance 
     measurements established under section 3691(b)(1)(D).
       ``(B) Website.--The term `Website' means the website 
     described in paragraph (1).''.
       (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of 
     sections for chapter 36 of title 39, United States Code, is 
     amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3691 
     the following:

``3692. Performance targets and transparency.''.

     SEC. 202. INTEGRATED DELIVERY NETWORK.

       (a) In General.--Section 101(b) of title 39, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting before ``The Postal Service'' 
     the following: ``The Postal Service shall maintain an 
     integrated network for the delivery of market-dominant and 
     competitive products (as defined in chapter 36 of this 
     title). Delivery shall occur at least six days a week, except 
     during weeks that include a Federal holiday, in emergency 
     situations, such as natural disasters, or in geographic areas 
     where the Postal Service has established a policy of 
     delivering mail fewer than six days a week as of the date of 
     enactment of the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022.''.
       (b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in subsection (a) or the 
     amendment made by such subsection is intended to alter or 
     amend the requirements of chapters 20 or 36 of title 39, 
     United States Code, and related implementing regulations, 
     including provisions relating to costing, accounting, or 
     rates.

     SEC. 203. REVIEW OF POSTAL SERVICE COST ATTRIBUTION 
                   GUIDELINES.

       Not later than the date that is one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Postal Regulatory Commission 
     shall initiate a review of the regulations issued pursuant to 
     sections 3633(a) and 3652(a)(1) of title 39, United States 
     Code, to determine whether revisions are appropriate to 
     ensure that all direct and indirect costs attributable to 
     competitive and market-dominant products are properly 
     attributed to those products, including by considering the 
     underlying methodologies in determining cost attribution and 
     considering options to revise such methodologies. If the 
     Commission determines, after notice and opportunity for 
     public comment, that revisions are appropriate, the 
     Commission shall make modifications or adopt alternative 
     methodologies as necessary.

     SEC. 204. RURAL NEWSPAPER SUSTAINABILITY.

       Section 3626(h) of title 39, United States Code, is amended 
     by striking ``10 percent'' and inserting ``50 percent''.

     SEC. 205. FUNDING OF POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION.

       (a) In General.--Subsection (d) of section 504 of title 39, 
     United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(d)(1) Not later than September 1 of each fiscal year 
     (beginning with fiscal year 2022), the Postal Regulatory 
     Commission shall submit to the Postal Service a budget of the 
     Commission's expenses, including expenses for facilities, 
     supplies, compensation, and employee benefits, for the 
     following fiscal year. Any such budget shall be deemed 
     approved as submitted if the Governors fail to adjust the 
     budget in accordance with paragraph (2).
       ``(2)(A) Not later than 30 days after receiving a budget 
     under paragraph (1), the Governors holding office, by 
     unanimous written decision, may adjust the total amount of 
     funding requested in such budget. Nothing in this 
     subparagraph may be construed to authorize the Governors to 
     adjust any activity proposed to be funded by the budget.
       ``(B) If the Governors adjust the budget under subparagraph 
     (A), the Postal Regulatory Commission shall adjust the 
     suballocations within such budget to reflect the total 
     adjustment made by the Governors. The budget shall be deemed 
     approved on the date the Commission makes any such 
     adjustments. The Commission may make further adjustments to 
     the suballocations within such budget as necessary.
       ``(3) Expenses incurred under any budget approved under 
     this subsection shall be paid out of the Postal Service Fund 
     established under section 2003.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--Title 39, United States Code, 
     is amended--
       (1) in section 2003(e), by striking ``(B) all expenses of 
     the Postal Regulatory Commission, subject to the availability 
     of amounts appropriated under section 504(d);'' and inserting 
     ``(B) all expenses of the Postal Regulatory Commission, 
     pursuant to section 504(d);''; and
       (2) in section 2009--
       (A) by striking ``, (2)'' and inserting ``, and (2)''; and
       (B) by striking ``, and (3) the Postal Regulatory 
     Commission requests to be appropriated, out of the Postal 
     Service Fund, under section 504(d) of this title''.

     SEC. 206. FLATS OPERATIONS STUDY AND REFORM.

       (a) Flats Operations Study.--
       (1) In general.--The Postal Regulatory Commission, in 
     consultation with the Inspector General of the United States 
     Postal Service, shall conduct a study to--
       (A) comprehensively identify the causes of inefficiencies 
     in the collection, sorting, transportation, and delivery of 
     Flats; and
       (B) quantify the effects of the volume trends, investments 
     decisions, excess capacity, and operational inefficiencies of 
     the Postal Service on the direct and indirect costs of the 
     Postal Service that are attributable to Flats.
       (2) Postal service assistance.--For the purposes of 
     carrying out the study under paragraph (1), the Postal 
     Service shall, upon request by the Postal Regulatory 
     Commission, consult with the Postal Regulatory Commission and 
     provide--
       (A) access to Postal Service facilities to personnel of the 
     Postal Regulatory Commission; and
       (B) information and records necessary to conduct such 
     study.
       (3) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Postal Regulatory Commission shall 
     submit to Congress and the Postmaster General a report on the 
     findings of the study conducted under paragraph (1).
       (4) Flats defined.--In this subsection, the term ``Flats'' 
     means products that meet the physical standards described in 
     the Domestic Mail Manual (as in effect on the date of the 
     enactment of this Act) for Flats mail for any class of mail.
       (b) Flats Operations Reform.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than six months after the date 
     on which the Postal Regulatory Commission submits the report 
     described in subsection (a)(3), the Postal Service shall--
       (A) develop and implement a plan to remedy each 
     inefficiency identified in the study conducted under 
     subsection (a)(1) to the extent practicable; and
       (B) if the Postal Service determines that remedying any 
     such inefficiency is not practicable, provide to Congress and 
     the Postal Regulatory Commission an explanation why remedying 
     such inefficiency is not practicable, including whether it 
     may become practicable to remedy such inefficiency at a later 
     time.
       (2) Implementation requirements.--Prior to implementing the 
     plan described in paragraph (1)--
       (A) the Postal Regulatory Commission must approve the plan; 
     and
       (B) the Postal Service shall provide an adequate 
     opportunity for public comment on the plan.
       (3) Completion notice.--On the date on which the plan 
     described in paragraph (1) is fully implemented, as 
     determined by the Postmaster General, the Postmaster General 
     shall submit to Congress and the Postal Regulatory Commission 
     a written notice of such implementation.
       (c) Subsequent Rate Adjustments.--During the five-year 
     period beginning on the date on which the Postal Regulatory 
     Commission submits a report under subsection (a)(3), the 
     Postal Service, when making any adjustment to the rate of a 
     market-dominant product (as defined in section 102 of title 
     39, United States Code), shall consider the findings of such 
     report and, after the plan described in subsection (b)(1) is 
     implemented, the plan's efficacy in remedying the 
     inefficiencies identified in the study conducted under 
     subsection (a)(1).

     SEC. 207. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 240 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and every six months thereafter, 
     the Postmaster General shall submit to the President, the 
     Postal Regulatory Commission, the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, and the 
     Committee on Oversight and Reform of the House of 
     Representatives a report on the operations and financial 
     condition of the Postal Service during the six-month period 
     ending 60 days before the date on which the Postmaster 
     General submits such report.
       (b) Contents.--Each report submitted under this section 
     shall include updates, details of changes from previous 
     standards and requirements, and assessments of progress being 
     made

[[Page H1039]]

     on the operations and financial condition of the Postal 
     Service, including--
       (1) the actual mail and package volume growth relative to 
     any mail or package volume growth projections previously made 
     or relied upon by the Postal Service, including a discussion 
     of the reasons for the differences in projections and the 
     associated adjustments being made;
       (2) the effect of pricing changes on product volume for 
     market-dominant and competitive products, and associated 
     revenue effects on financial projections, including a 
     discussion of the reasons behind the differences in 
     projections and associated adjustments being made;
       (3) customer use of network distribution centers and 
     processing and distribution centers;
       (4) the status of the USPS Connect program and revenue 
     effects of the program on the financial projections;
       (5) the use of Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, First-
     Class Package Service, and Parcel Select services (as such 
     terms are defined in the Mail Classification Schedule as in 
     effect on the date of the enactment of this Act) among 
     customers and associated revenue effects;
       (6) the use of USPS Connect Returns service among 
     customers, and associated costs and revenue effects;
       (7) the use of USPS E-Commerce Marketplace among customers, 
     and associated costs and revenue effects;
       (8) updates on the reliability, efficiency, and cost-
     effectiveness of the transportation network, including the 
     manner in which ground transportation is utilized over air 
     transportation for types of market-dominant products and 
     competitive products;
       (9) a review of efforts to enhance employee training, 
     safety, and wellbeing, including associated effects on 
     employee recruitment, satisfaction, and retention;
       (10) a review of efforts being made to improve employee 
     allocation, including changes of non-career employees to 
     career status, and any associated impacts to operational 
     expenses and processing, transportation, and delivery 
     efficiency;
       (11) the rate of planned investment into Postal Service 
     processing, transportation, and delivery equipment and 
     infrastructure for market-dominant and competitive products, 
     and a review of any associated effects on operational 
     expenses and efficiency;
       (12) changes to network distribution centers and the 
     expansion of regional distribution centers, including costs 
     associated with the changes and any realized reduction in 
     operational expenses or improved resource efficiencies;
       (13) a review of the ability of the Postal Service to meet 
     performance targets established under section 3692(a)(1) of 
     title 39, United States Code;
       (14) a discussion of the progress of the Postal Service in 
     achieving any new, self-funded investments, including the 
     amounts realized and expended to date, and a discussion of 
     the reasons behind any disparities in the assumptions 
     regarding the expected progress of the Postal Service getting 
     new, self-funded investments to accommodate changes; and
       (15) any other information the Postal Service determines 
     relevant, such as barriers or unanticipated events, in order 
     to help the Postal Regulatory Commission, Congress, the 
     President, and the American public evaluate the success or 
     difficulties faced by the Postal Service in implementing the 
     reform plan.
       (c) Confidential Information.--
       (1) In general.--The report required under this subsection 
     shall be submitted in a form that excludes any proprietary or 
     confidential information and trade secrets.
       (2) Notification.--If the Postal Service determines that 
     any information must be excluded under paragraph (1), the 
     Postal Service shall, at the time of submitting the report, 
     notify the President, the Committee on Oversight and Reform 
     of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, and the 
     Postal Regulatory Commission in writing of its determination 
     and describe in detail the information for which 
     confidentiality is sought and the reasons therefor.
       (3) Annexes.--The Postal Service shall submit to the 
     persons and entities notified under paragraph (2) any 
     information excluded under paragraph (1) in an annex that 
     shall be treated as confidential in accordance with paragraph 
     (4).
       (4) Treatment.--No person may, with respect to any 
     information which such person receives under paragraph (4)--
       (A) use such information for purposes other than the 
     purposes for which it is supplied; or
       (B) permit any person or entity other than a person or 
     entity notified under paragraph (2), or the staff thereof, to 
     have access to any such information.
       (d) Termination.--This section shall terminate on the date 
     that is five years after the date on which the first report 
     required by this section is submitted.

     SEC. 208. POSTAL SERVICE TRANSPORTATION SELECTION POLICY 
                   REVISIONS.

       Section 101(f) of title 39, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``prompt and economical'' and inserting 
     ``prompt, economical, consistent, and reliable'';
       (2) by inserting after ``all mail'' the following: ``in a 
     manner that increases operational efficiency and reduces 
     complexity'';
       (3) by inserting ``cost-effective'' after ``to achieve''; 
     and
       (4) by inserting ``also'' after ``Nation shall''.

     SEC. 209. USPS INSPECTOR GENERAL OVERSIGHT OF POSTAL 
                   REGULATORY COMMISSION.

       (a) In General.--Section 8G of the Inspector General Act of 
     1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``the Postal 
     Regulatory Commission,''; and
       (2) in subsection (f)--
       (A) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by striking ``(2) In carrying'' and inserting ``(2)(A) 
     In carrying''; and
       (ii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) In carrying out the duties and responsibilities 
     specified in this Act, the Inspector General of the United 
     States Postal Service shall function as the Inspector General 
     for the Postal Regulatory Commission, and shall have equal 
     responsibility over the United States Postal Service and the 
     Postal Regulatory Commission. The Commission shall comply 
     with the Inspector General's oversight as if the Commission 
     were a designated Federal entity under subsection (a)(2) and 
     as if the Inspector General were the inspector general of the 
     Commission. The Governors of the Postal Service shall not 
     direct oversight activities for the Postal Regulatory 
     Commission.'';
       (B) in paragraph (3)(A)(i), by inserting ``pertaining to 
     the United States Postal Service'' after ``subpoenas,'';
       (C) in paragraph (3)(B)(i), by inserting ``and the Postal 
     Regulatory Commission'' after ``United States Postal 
     Service'';
       (D) in paragraph (3)(C), by inserting ``or the Postal 
     Regulatory Commission'' after ``Governors'';
       (E) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) as 
     paragraphs (5), (6), and (7), respectively; and
       (F) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
       ``(4) For activities pertaining to the Postal Regulatory 
     Commission, sections 4, 5, 6 (other than subsection (g) 
     thereof), and 7 of this Act shall be applied by substituting 
     the term `head of the Postal Regulatory Commission' for `head 
     of the establishment'.''.
       (b) Appointment and Removal.--Section 202 of title 39, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ``The Governors shall 
     appoint'' and inserting ``The Governors and the members of 
     the Postal Regulatory Commission shall appoint, by a 
     favorable vote of a majority of the Governors in office and 
     of a majority of the members of the Commission in office,''; 
     and
       (2) in subsection (e)(3), by inserting ``and 3 members of 
     the Postal Regulatory Commission'' after ``at least 7 
     Governors''.
       (c) Savings Provision.--
       (1) Personnel, documents, assets.--All personnel, 
     documents, assets, unexpended balances of appropriations, and 
     obligations of the Inspector General for the Postal 
     Regulatory Commission shall transfer to the Inspector General 
     of the Postal Service on the effective date of this section.
       (2) Legal documents.--Any order, determination, rule, 
     regulation, permit, grant, loan, contract, agreement, 
     certificate, license, or privilege that has been issued, 
     made, granted, or allowed to become effective by the 
     Inspector General of the Postal Regulatory Commission that is 
     in effect on the effective date of this section shall 
     continue in effect according to their terms until modified, 
     terminated, superseded, set aside, or revoked in accordance 
     with law.
       (3) Proceedings.--This section and the amendments made by 
     this section shall not affect any proceeding pending on the 
     effective date of this section before the Inspector General 
     of the Postal Regulatory Commission, but such proceeding 
     shall be continued by the Inspector General of the Postal 
     Service, at the discretion of that Inspector General. Nothing 
     in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit the 
     discontinuance or modification of any such proceeding under 
     the same terms and conditions and to the same extent that the 
     proceeding could have been discontinued or modified if this 
     section and those amendments had not been enacted.
       (4) Suits.--This section and the amendments made by this 
     section shall not affect any suit commenced before the 
     effective date of this section, and in any such suit, 
     proceeding shall be had, appeals taken, and judgments 
     rendered in the same manner and with the same effect as if 
     this section or such amendments had not been enacted.
       (5) References.--Any reference in any other Federal law, 
     Executive order, rule, regulation, or delegation of 
     authority, or any document relating to the Inspector General 
     of the Postal Regulatory Commission shall be deemed to refer 
     to the Inspector General of the United States Postal Service.
       (d) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--Section 504 of 
     title 39, United States Code, is amended by striking 
     subsection (h).
       (e) Effective Date.--This section and the amendments made 
     by this section shall take effect on the date that is 180 
     days after the date of enactment of this Act.

                        TITLE III--SEVERABILITY

     SEC. 301. SEVERABILITY.

       If any provision of this Act or any amendment made by this 
     Act, or the application of a provision of this Act or an 
     amendment made by this Act to any person or circumstance, is 
     held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act, and 
     the application of the provisions to any person or 
     circumstance, shall not be affected by the holding.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill, as amended, shall be debatable for 
1 hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority 
member of the Committee on Oversight and Reform or their respective 
designees.
  After 1 hour of debate, it shall be in order to consider the further 
amendment printed in House Report 117-243, if offered by the Member 
designated in the report, which shall be considered read, shall be 
separately debatable for

[[Page H1040]]

the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the 
proponent and an opponent, and shall not be subject to a demand for a 
division of the question.
  The gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney) and the 
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Comer) each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. 
Maloney).


                             General Leave

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous 
consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and 
extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials on H.R. 3076.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 
such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3076, the Postal 
Service Reform Act, which I introduced along with my distinguished 
ranking member, Mr. Comer.
  I am proud to say that our bill, the bill before us today, is the 
result of a truly bipartisan effort from the beginning until our time 
on the floor today. We have jointly over 100 cosponsors almost evenly 
divided between Democrats and Republicans. And according to the 
nonpartisan CBO, this bill actually reduces Federal spending by $1.5 
billion over the next 10 years.
  The administration also supports the bill's efforts to ``strengthen 
the U.S. Postal Service.''
  Madam Speaker, I include the President's statement in the Record.

                   Statement of Administration Policy


 H.R. 3076--postal service reform act of 2022--rep. maloney, d-ny, and 
                             102 cosponsors

       The Administration supports House passage of H.R. 3076, the 
     Postal Service Reform Act of 2022. The United States Postal 
     Service and its dedicated employees provide an essential 
     public service and the critical public infrastructure for the 
     delivery of mail and packages to all Americans in every 
     corner of the country. The Postal Service provides crucial 
     support to millions of Americans, including our Nation's 
     veterans, including by ensuring their ability to vote and 
     providing access to prescription medications. Furthermore, 
     the Postal Service is an indispensable complement to and 
     foundational support for American businesses and communities.
       The Administration supports efforts to strengthen the 
     United States Postal Service, including by providing Postal 
     employees with the dignity, fair pay, and employer-provided 
     benefits they have earned. The Administration is committed to 
     ensuring that the Postal Service delivers the highest 
     quality, most reliable service possible to every American. 
     This legislation would advance these goals in several ways.
       Under current law, the Postal Service is required to 
     annually prepay future retirement health benefits, a 
     requirement not imposed on most other public or private 
     entities. Consistent with the President's longstanding 
     commitment, H.R. 3076 would repeal this requirement, which 
     unfairly and unnecessarily burdens the Postal Service.
       H.R. 3076 would also establish a new, separate Postal 
     Service Health Benefits Program (PSHBP) within the existing 
     Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), that 
     integrates Postal employees and annuitants into Medicare. 
     Making these changes would improve the Postal Service's long-
     run financial outlook, without sacrificing quality, 
     affordable health coverage for Postal employees and retirees. 
     The Administration is mindful that these reforms would impose 
     administrative burdens on the Office of Personnel Management 
     and FEHBP, and further, that there could be potential 
     challenges with operationalizing Medicare integration and 
     with ensuring ongoing funding to support administration of 
     the new PSHPB. The Administration looks forward to working 
     with Congress to ensure that the goals of H.R. 3076 are met 
     in an efficient, equitable, and cost-effective manner, while 
     safeguarding the continued stability of the FEHBP.
       Finally, H.R. 3076 would establish new transparency and 
     reporting requirements for the Postal Service and its 
     regulator, the Postal Regulatory Commission; require the 
     Postal Service to provide semi-annual reports to Congress on 
     the implementation of its strategic plan; provide for a 
     public dashboard using nationwide delivery metrics to track 
     delivery performance; and mandate a review of the costing of 
     competitive and non-competitive products. The Administration 
     supports these efforts to improve accountability, reliability 
     and transparency at the Postal Service.

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. The Postal Service is one of 
America's most vital and respected institutions. Originally established 
in Article I of the Constitution, for over two centuries it has 
provided service across our country to every single address whether you 
are in an urban skyscraper or rural family farm. It binds our Nation 
together in ways that no agency or organization does, and it adds over 
1 million new delivery points every year.
  This bill is an agreement to fix some of the serious problems that 
have been looming over the post office for years and threatening its 
financial stability.
  It is an agreement that was reached with input from Democrats, 
Republicans, the postal unions, the postal professionals, and a wide 
array of private- and public-sector stakeholders. Over 200 different 
organizations have come out in support of this bill.
  Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a list of the organizations in 
support of this bill.

         Organizations Supporting the Postal Service Reform Act

       American Postal Workers Union; National Association of 
     Letter Carriers; National Rural Letter Carriers Association; 
     National Postal Mail Handlers Union; United States Postal 
     Service; National Active and Retired Federal Employees 
     Association; Federal-Postal Coalition; National Association 
     of Postal Supervisors; Package Coalition; Scholastic; Pitney 
     Bowes; CVS Health; eBay; International Paper; National Retail 
     Federation; OSM Worldwide; Pharmaceutical Care Management 
     Association; Pirate Ship; Keep Us Posted; Consumer Action.
       Sylvamo; Coalition for a 21st Century Postal Service; 
     American Catalog Mailers Association; American Forest & Paper 
     Association; Association of National Advertisers; Envelope 
     Manufacturers Association; Greeting Card Association; Major 
     Mailers Association; MailersHub; National Association of 
     Presort Mailers; National Newspaper Association; National 
     Postal Policy Council; National Retail Federation; Letter in 
     Support of H.R. 3076, p. 2; News Media Alliance; Parcel 
     Shippers Association; Printing United Alliance; Retail 
     Industry Leaders Association; Saturation Mailers Coalition; 
     The Package Coalition Companies.
       4-Imprint; Action Mail Presort; AIIM; All Island Media; 
     Amazon; Arcadia News; AT&T Ballard Designs; Baudville Inc.; 
     BCC Software; Belk; Biely & Shoaf Co., Blue Kite Press; 
     BlueCrest; Bluegrass Integrated Communications; Bluestone 
     Perennials; BMS Direct; BMS Technologies; Business 
     Communication Solutions (BCS); C & G Newspaper.
       Calyx Flowers, Inc.; Cathedral Corporation; Centron Data 
     Services; Christianbook, LLC; Clarity; CohereOne; Colony 
     Brands: Montgomery Ward, Seventh Avenue, Ginny's, Midnight 
     Velvet, Monroe & Main; The Swiss Colony, The Tender Filet; 
     The Wisconsin Cheeseman, Country Door, Ashro; Columbia 
     Sportswear; Community Papers of Michigan; Content Critical 
     Solutions; Continuum | Marketing Production Services; 
     Corporate Mailing Services; Corporate Mailing Services (CMS); 
     Data Media Associates; Datamatx; Datapage; DataProse; 
     Demographix Media.
       Design Toscano; Direct Mail Solutions; DMM; DNI Corp.; 
     Domtar; Doxim; EasyPost; eBay; Etsy; Everything Marketing, 
     LLC; Fairytale Brownies; Fluence; FRONTGATE; FSSI; Gardener's 
     Supply Company; Garnet Hill; Genesee Valley Pennysavers; 
     Grayhair Software; Grizzly Industrial, Inc.; Hallmark Cards, 
     Inc.; Harbor Sweets.
       Hatteras/FocusOne; HC3; Holt's Cigar Company; HSN; IC 
     Group; ICS Corp; Image Options; Impact; Improvements; IMS; 
     Indrio Brands: Hale Groves, Pittman & Davis, Sun Harvest 
     Citrus, StuartDM; InfoIMAGE; Inland Press; International 
     Bridge; International Paper; Japs Olson; Johnson & Quin; JSM; 
     Kathleen Schultz Marketing; King Solutions; K-Log; L & D Mail 
     Masters; L&M Mail & Courier; Las Vegas Presort; Legacy 
     Publishing Group; Lett Direct; LSC Communications; Mail 
     Maine; Mailbox Merchants; Mailing Services of Pittsburgh; 
     Mailing Technical Services, Inc.; Midland; Midwest Direct; 
     National Grange; Mountain Hard Wear; MPX; MRS Mail Express; 
     My Shipping Post; Northern Safety & Industrial Novica.
        Nueske's Applewood Smoked Meats; OBRIEN; OSG; OSM 
     Worldwide; Package Shippers Association; Path2Response; PCI 
     Group; Pill Pack; Pirate Ship; Pitney Bowes; Pittsburgh 
     Mailing; Plow & Hearth; PMSI; Polaris Direct, LLC; Poshmark; 
     Potpourri Group: Cuddledown, NorthStyle, The Pyramid 
     Collection, Serengeti, In the Company of; Dogs, Magellan's, 
     Catalog Favorites, Young Explorers, Back in the Saddle, 
     Whatever Works; Country Store, Expressions, Nature's Jewelry, 
     The Stitchery, SafeFinds, TravelSmith; Chadwicks; prAna.
       Premier Press; Presort Essentials, Inc.; Print Mail 
     Solutions; Print Mannschaft; Prolist; Publishers Clearing 
     House; Quad Inc.; Qurate Retail Group; QVC; R.R. Donnelley; 
     Raymond Geddes & Co., Inc.; Recreation Supply Company; 
     RevSpring; Scottish Gourmet USA LLC; Shades of Light; Shark 
     Publications, LLC; Shippo; Signature Graphics; Silver Star 
     Brands: Miles Kimball, Walter Drake, Easy Comforts, 
     Exposures, As We Change; NativeRemedies, Fox Valley Traders.
       SiteForm, Inc.; Smart Market, Inc; Sorel; Specialty Print 
     Communications; Sporty's; Summit Direct; Letter in Support of 
     H.R. 3076, p. 5; Sylvamo; Target Direct; The Bradford 
     Exchange: Hammacher Schlemmer; The

[[Page H1041]]

     Dingley Press; The Masters Touch; The PLD Group; The Vermont 
     Country Store; Think Patented; TLC Management, Inc.; United 
     Business Mail; United Mailing Services; United Postmasters 
     and Managers of America.
       Up With Paper; Upper Valley Press; Ursa Major Associates; 
     USM Print Solutions; Value Direct, LLC; VariVerge; Whittier 
     Mailing Products Inc.; Wiland; Wisconsin Community Papers, 
     Town Money Saver; Wolverine Solutions Group; YRSTORE INC.; 
     Zappos; Zulil.

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, it is an 
agreement that contains two major reforms that together will save the 
post office over $50 billion in the coming decade.
  First, the bill requires postal employees to enroll in Medicare when 
they are eligible and retire. All postal employees have already been 
paying into Medicare throughout their careers, but not all retirees 
could or would enroll when they reached 65. So the bill simply ensures 
that Postal Service employees can fully utilize the benefits that they 
have already paid for.
  Second, the bill will eliminate the unfair requirement that the 
Postal Service prepay its retiree health benefits for 75 years into the 
future. This commonsense change will help reduce the burden on the 
retiree health benefit fund and help it remain solvent.

                              {time}  1430

  And the bill would provide Congress and the American people with a 
whole new level of transparency and accountability. It would establish 
an online, public-facing database that shows weekly service performance 
information by zip code.
  The bill also requires the Postal Service to continue to deliver mail 
6 days a week, using an integrated network, ensuring that Americans can 
receive their mail and medications on weekends.
  The bill also enables our Postal Service to increase revenue through 
nonpostal services, such as selling permits to go fishing or hunting.
  I would like to thank my friend, Ranking Member Comer, for his 
partnership on this bill and for helping to shepherd it to the floor. 
It has truly been a joint effort.
  I would also like to thank Representatives Connolly, Lynch, Lawrence, 
and Foxx, for their work and dedication and devotion to getting this 
bill done.
  I also would like to thank Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, 
Whip Clyburn, all of whom supported this and helped move it to the 
floor.
  Let's do the right thing by all Americans and pass this bill, and 
send it to the Senate with a large support from this body.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support this historic, bipartisan 
bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

         Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of 
           Representatives,
                                 Washington, DC, February 8, 2022.
     Hon. Carolyn Maloney,
     Chairwoman, Committee on Oversight and Reform,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairwoman Maloney: I write concerning H.R. 3076, the 
     ``Postal Service Reform Act of 2021,'' which was additionally 
     referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
       In recognition of the desire to expedite consideration of 
     H.R. 3076, the Committee agrees to waive formal consideration 
     of the bill as to provisions that fall within the Rule X 
     jurisdiction of the Committee. The Committee takes this 
     action with the mutual understanding that we do not waive any 
     jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or 
     similar legislation, and that the Committee will be 
     appropriately consulted and involved as this bill or similar 
     legislation moves forward so that we may address any 
     remaining issues within our jurisdiction. I also request that 
     you support my request to name members of the Committee to 
     any conference committee to consider such provisions.
       Finally, I would appreciate the inclusion of this letter 
     into the Congressional Record during floor consideration of 
     H.R. 3076.
           Sincerely,
                                                Frank Pallone, Jr.
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of 
           Representatives,
                                 Washington, DC, February 8, 2022.
     Hon. Frank Pallone,
     Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Pallone: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 3076, the ``Postal Service Reform Act.'' As you know, 
     the bill was referred to the Committee on Oversight and 
     Reform, with an additional referral to the Committee on 
     Energy and Commerce, due to provisions in the legislation 
     that concern health care, including Medicare.
       I thank you for allowing the Committee on Energy and 
     Commerce to be discharged from further consideration of the 
     bill to expedite floor consideration. This discharge in no 
     way affects your jurisdiction over the subject matter of the 
     bill, and it will not serve as precedent for future 
     referrals. In addition, should a conference on the bill be 
     necessary, I would support your request to have the Committee 
     on Energy and Commerce represented on the conference 
     committee.
       I would be pleased to include this letter and your 
     correspondence in the Congressional Record during floor 
     consideration to memorialize our understanding.
           Sincerely,

                                           Carolyn B. Maloney,

                                                       Chairwoman,
                                Committee on Oversight and Reform.

  Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, Americans hold the United States Postal Service in 
extremely high regard, and that is for good reason. All rely on it for 
our paychecks, medications, news, magazines, and correspondence with 
loved ones. And now, more than ever, Americans enjoy the conveniences 
of e-commerce no matter where they live in this great Nation.
  The United States Postal Service is truly one of our prized national 
assets. But, as we know, the Postal Service has faced financial trouble 
for many years. Service delays stemming from an unreliable and outdated 
delivery network, a drastic historical decrease in mail revenue, and a 
sustained surge in labor-intensive packages, have all contributed to 
the organization's struggles.
  The rise and dominance of the internet has completely changed the way 
people shop, pay bills, and generally communicate. It has changed in 
ways that could not have even been envisioned in the 1970s, when 
Congress established today's independently operated Postal Service.
  We need to face the music. The days of letters alone driving the 
Postal Service's revenue are not coming back. And with this national 
pandemic, we have seen what happens when the Postal Service is stressed 
to its operational limits.
  The dual challenges of workforce shortages and a surge in package 
volume across its delivery network plainly exposed the inability for 
the Postal Service to adapt to modern challenges.
  I stand here today, after more than a year of bipartisan work with my 
colleague, Chairwoman Maloney, to call for the House to pass the 
bipartisan Postal Service Reform Act of 2022. This targeted bill 
addresses the immediate needs of the Postal Service to help it succeed 
into the 21st century.
  H.R. 3076 bolsters Postal Service-led operational reforms that are 
already showing success with better revenue and delivery performance.
  For example, the Postal Service saw one of the busiest holiday 
seasons ever this past year. And even this current White House could 
not ignore the fact that nearly 99 percent of consumers received their 
packages on time or with minimal delays.
  This was done under the leadership of Postmaster General DeJoy, and 
in the face of constant challenges brought about by the pandemic and 
the current political climate.
  Coupled with the Postmaster General's ambitious and comprehensive 10-
year reform plan are two legislative requests impacting the Postal 
Service's ability to operate profitably in the years to come.
  First, the well-intentioned 2006 legislative requirement that the 
Postal Service prefund the retiree health benefits of all future 
potential costs has proven unworkable and counterproductive.
  H.R. 3076 repeals this requirement, while continuing to require 
annual payments for what is owed to postal retirees. This helps 
alleviate immediate financial stresses, while still protecting the 
workforce's earned retirement health benefits.
  Secondly, the Postmaster General has sought legislation to seamlessly 
transition the postal workforce into Medicare upon retirement, rather 
than continuing as the primary payer for retiree health benefits.
  Congress has told the Postal Service it has to act like a business, 
and this is

[[Page H1042]]

not something businesses do. Businesses offer secondary coverage to 
wrap-around Medicare benefits, and that is what Congress should allow 
the Postal Service to do as well. This is sensible policy in keeping 
with the practices of private-sector businesses.
  Postal Service retirees have been paying into Medicare their entire 
careers and, next to the Federal Government itself, the Postal Service 
is the largest contributor to the Medicare Trust Fund in the Nation.
  Together, these two legislative provisions requested by Postmaster 
General DeJoy are projected to help the Postal Service break even in 
the coming years.
  However, I have made it clear that Republicans need to see solutions 
that would also allow the Postal Service to fundamentally improve its 
business model. Our reform bill is designed around the Postal Service's 
current operational reform plans.
  Additionally, our bill makes sure Congress has key oversight tools. 
For instance, our bill establishes a public-facing, online dashboard 
with full local mail delivery performance data. This will provide 
necessary transparency into the on-time delivery of mail, and equip 
every House Member to conduct oversight of mail performance in their 
local communities.
  Congress should not be caught off guard as we were in early 2020 as 
the pandemic accelerated performance problems in real time.
  My colleagues should also consider what this targeted reform bill 
does not do. Our legislation does not include draconian cuts to service 
delivery, such as post office closures, or decreasing delivery to 
residences.
  Our bill keeps the needs of rural Postal Service customers front and 
center. For instance, the bill codifies the 6-day delivery of mail and 
packages, which provides assurance to businesses and rural communities 
alike.
  And importantly, our reform bill does all of this without taking the 
easy approach of a bailout or increasing the budget. In fact, the bill 
is projected to save over a billion dollars of tax funds over the next 
decade, over a billion dollars.
  Chairwoman Maloney and I have worked closely on receiving the input 
from the Postal Service and industry groups large and small, and have 
come to an agreement that we believe will have a real impact. I am very 
proud of this product, this bipartisan work.

  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute 
to the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the majority 
leader of this Congress.
  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I thank the chair for yielding, and I want 
to thank both Mrs. Maloney, Congresswoman Maloney from New York, the 
chair of the committee, and Mr. Comer from Kentucky.
  There is nobody covering this right now. There aren't a lot of 
Members on the floor. This will pass in a bipartisan fashion. But this 
is a piece of legislation on one of the most important agencies of 
government, the most important services to the American people, keeping 
them in touch, getting them goods and services and prescription drugs 
that they need, being able to pay their bills.
  This bill is a very important bill. The interest in it in terms of 
the public is belied by the fact that it is bipartisan and that, 
therefore, it is assumed to happen.
  But I tell you, Madam Speaker, this is decades in the making. This 
bill has been debated--not this bill, but the reforms that this bill 
achieves, have been debated for decades.
  As the former chair of the Treasury Postal Subcommittee of the 
Appropriations Committee, I know full well how difficult this process 
has been, and it doesn't need me to say anything more about the 
specifics of the bill, other than to thank Chair Maloney. She has been 
tenacious. She has been focused, and she has been indefatigable in this 
effort.
  Madam Speaker, I want say that this would not have been done without 
Mr. Comer, because it is easy to demagogue one part of the issue or 
some other part of the issue. But the gentleman working together with 
Mrs. Maloney has made this happen, and America will be better. The 
Postal Service will be better. Postal workers will be better. And the 
American community that utilizes and relies on the Postal Service will 
have greater security and greater service.
  So Madam Speaker, I thank Mrs. Maloney and Mr. Comer.
  I thank all of those who worked on this bill in the committee, and I 
urge its overwhelming passage on a bipartisan basis.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Foxx), who has worked steadfastly and been on board 
and had significant input in this bill from day one.
  Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Kentucky who has 
done a masterful job, along with Chairwoman Maloney, on this bill.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3076, the Postal 
Service Reform Act.
  The Postal Service is projected to lose $160 billion over the next 10 
years as mail volume decreases and costs continue to increase. If 
nothing changes, the Postal Service will run out of cash in 2024 and 
plead for another taxpayer bailout.
  This bill, coupled with Postmaster General DeJoy's 10-year reform 
plan, will return the Postal Service to a more sustainable path. It 
provides additional transparency mechanisms to help hold the Postal 
Service accountable for meeting its goals and ultimately lead its 
management to operate more efficiently.
  It also allows the Postal Service to choose the most economic reform 
of transportation, rather than using outdated rules that are not 
tailored to the modern needs of the Postal Service.
  The Postal Service Reform Act allows the Postmaster General to make 
two financial reforms that are key to the 10-year reform plan. It 
allows for Medicare integration and the elimination of the pre-funding 
obligations.
  Last Congress, I requested a recorded vote on H.R. 2382, the USPS 
Fairness Act, and I voted ``no'' on that bill because I believe it is 
irresponsible for the Postal Service to shed its pre-funding 
obligations without making needed reforms so that taxpayers are not 
asked to repeatedly bail it out.
  Now I am pleased to say the Postal Service Reform Act delivers those 
substantial and badly needed reforms to the Postal Service, such that 
its fiscal stability will be restored. Even the Congressional Budget 
Office notes that this bill would save taxpayers nearly $1.5 billion 
over the next 10 years. This keeps the Postal Service solvent, and 
eliminates the need for further postal bailouts.
  Common ground is illusive in this body, Madam Speaker. I am proud to 
say that the bill before us today is truly a bipartisan step in the 
right direction to help the Postal Service fulfill its mission for 
years to come.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I would like to 
join my colleague, Mr. Comer, in thanking Representative Foxx for her 
unique contribution to this bill. She is co-chair of the Postal Caucus 
and played a vital role in moving this bill to the floor.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey 
(Mr. Pallone), the distinguished chairman of the House Energy and 
Commerce Committee that has jurisdiction over this bill also, and I 
thank him for his leadership on this bill.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, let me thank Chairwoman Maloney. She has 
worked hard on this and has constantly been telling us for months and 
years how important this was and we had to get it done. So 
congratulations. The day has arrived.

                              {time}  1445

  The U.S. Postal Service, Madam Speaker, is one of the oldest and most 
essential American institutions. Unfortunately, it has struggled 
financially for many years. That is why this comprehensive, bipartisan 
legislation is important, because it will address the financial 
challenges facing the Postal Service.
  A report last year by the GAO found that, since 2007, Postal Service 
expenses have grown faster than revenues, in part due to the cost of 
benefits, including retiree expenses.

[[Page H1043]]

  The Energy and Commerce Committee has worked closely with the 
Oversight and Reform Committee to craft healthcare provisions in the 
Postal Service Reform Act that both protect the benefits of retirees 
and put the Postal Service on a better financial footing.
  Under the bill, current Postal Service retirees will be able to keep 
their retirement health plans provided by the Postal Service and will 
not be required to enroll in Medicare. However, the legislation creates 
a one-time special enrollment period for Postal Service retirees who 
are eligible for Medicare to enroll in Medicare part B if they so 
choose.
  Postal Service retirees who enroll in Medicare part B through this 
special enrollment period would not pay late enrollment penalties on 
their part B premium. Instead, the Postal Service would pay any late 
enrollment penalties on behalf of the individual.
  Arrangements like this exist today for certain State and local 
government employees. The new special enrollment period will make it 
easier and more affordable for current Postal Service retirees to 
enroll in Medicare's comprehensive health coverage, and the majority of 
Postal Service retirees already choose to take advantage of their 
Medicare benefits.
  H.R. 3076 would also require future Postal Service retirees to enroll 
in Medicare when they become eligible in order to qualify for the 
Postal Service's retiree health plan. This would mean that future 
Postal Service retirees who are eligible for Medicare would have 
Medicare as their primary insurer but also have their Postal Service 
health plan filling any gaps in Medicare coverage. This is a common way 
to provide retiree insurance in the private sector.
  Overall, I believe this bill will improve the financial health of the 
Postal Service, and it will allow the Postal Service to continue 
providing critical services to the Nation and health benefits to its 
employees and retirees.
  Madam Speaker, I want to thank everyone, particularly Chairwoman 
Maloney, for their involvement in this effort, and I urge support for 
the bill.
  Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis), the ranking member of the House 
Administration Committee.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I do want to reiterate 
congratulations and thanks to Chairwoman Maloney and Ranking Member 
Comer.
  I am a little disappointed, though, because our colleague, Mr. Young, 
the dean of the House, is sitting right in front of my favorite 
microphone. But I will go here.
  I do want to say, this is a great day. We see bipartisanship in 
action, bringing this bill to the floor.
  I have been a strong supporter of the Postal Service throughout my 
time in Congress. The Postal Service is a lifeline to many rural 
communities across our country and many right in Illinois' 13th 
District that I am proud to represent.
  For many families, the Postal Service delivers lifesaving 
medications, benefits, and messages from loved ones. Its services are 
critical. That is why I have been a leader in supporting it and its 
employees, like the letter carriers and the postmasters, who truly are 
essential.
  Because of the Postal Service's importance to my constituents, I have 
worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to lead on 
initiatives to ensure it is not privatized, delivers mail on Saturdays, 
and retains strict service standards.
  The Postal Service keeps us connected in ways electronic 
communication and other services cannot. Additionally, it finishes 
delivering packages for private companies in more rural regions of our 
country, like mine.
  I am glad we are here today, voting on this vital piece of 
legislation that will provide more funding and resources to our postal 
employees.
  This bill, importantly, makes the Postal Service financially viable 
for generations to come and implements efficiencies that will protect 
taxpayers and consumers alike. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy projects 
this legislation will save the Postal Service $58 billion over the next 
10 years and correct the agency's long-term financial problems by 2030. 
Additionally, the Congressional Budget Office estimates this 
legislation will save the Federal Government $1.5 billion over 10 
years.
  For these reasons, I support this vital piece of legislation, and I 
urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute 
to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), the 
distinguished chair of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and 
Related Agencies Subcommittee.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
this long-elusive, bipartisan legislation that has been years in the 
making. Congratulations to Chairwoman Maloney on her Herculean effort, 
along with Mr. Comer.
  In the past 2 years, postal workers faced historic public health 
challenges to heroically provide a lifeline for all Americans. Just as 
they always deliver for us, this reform bill will deliver long-overdue 
reforms to allow our Postal Service to thrive.
  No other entity, public or private, is required to prefund retiree 
health benefits for all its employees decades into the future. Only the 
Postal Service faces that fiscally untenable mandate, and this 
legislation eradicates that burden.

  This reform also codifies 6-day mail delivery, which I am proud to 
have long fought for as an appropriator.
  This consensus bill increases transparency; allows other services to 
be offered to its customers; and expands special rates for newspapers, 
to help these vital community watchdogs thrive. These are all 
commonsense reforms.
  As we build on it, the next steps should require that Members be able 
to conduct oversight at postal facilities without prior notice and 
allow designation of single ZIP Codes for cities like Hollywood and 
Cooper City, Florida, in my district, where assigned ZIP Codes overlap 
jurisdictions.
  Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this critical legislation to 
help the Postal Service better serve the American people.
  Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman), who also serves as ranking subcommittee 
member on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
  Mr. GROTHMAN. Madam Speaker, I, as well, support this bill.
  This is a bipartisan bill, and people have to realize it has to be a 
bipartisan bill. I don't think either party could get 218 votes for 
this bill, and of course, the same thing is true in the U.S. Senate. 
Therefore, it can't be a bill for extreme people.
  There are probably some people who want to get rid of the post office 
and just see what happens. Those people are going to vote against the 
bill.
  However, this is a bill in part negotiated by our current Postmaster 
General, Louis DeJoy. I think he has done a tremendous job.
  For years, people have said we ought to run the post office like a 
business. Now, we have a businessman who doesn't need the job, and he 
has negotiated a package.
  Admittedly, some people not normally known to sign have signed off. 
But it is a good package that will save money.
  If this package doesn't pass today, we will probably deal with 
another package in 2 or 4 years that is not as good as this package.
  We are including new machines, which will improve efficiency. We are 
going to switch to more full-time people, which will result in less 
overtime. We are going to align the distribution network, and there 
will be transportation savings there. These things may not happen in 
the future.
  I think Mr. DeJoy has done a good job. I think we should stand with 
him. I think if we do not vote for this bill today, we are really 
sending a message that we cannot vote for something unless it is 
absolutely perfect.
  I do believe there will be a substantial savings over the next few 
years, a savings which would not result if this bill would fail today. 
I strongly encourage my colleagues, including my conservative 
colleagues, to vote for this bill.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes 
to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly), the distinguished

[[Page H1044]]

chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations.
  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Maloney for her 
leadership, as well as Ranking Member Comer. I am also proud as an 
original cosponsor of this bill and as the chairman of the subcommittee 
with jurisdiction over postal issues.
  This bill contains provisions that, when taken together, will right 
the course of the Postal Service, returning it to solvency and removing 
undue burdens that have mired it in debt for 16 years.
  Much of the blame for the Postal Service's financial struggle rests 
squarely here in Congress. In 2003, Congress enacted the Postal 
Accountability and Enhancement Act, requiring the Postal Service to 
make annual, exorbitant prepayments into its retiree health benefits 
fund, a requirement required of no other entity in the United States. 
These payments kept the Postal Service from profitability for years, 
since 2006.
  To be sure, this prepayment is not the only issue plaguing the Postal 
Service's financial posture in an increasingly online and digital 
society. But as the ranking member indicated, what this bill does do is 
takes care of that red ink that we are responsible for and puts the 
Postal Service in a position to buy time to develop a 21st century 
business model that will work and will continue to serve the American 
people.
  We owe a debt of gratitude to postal workers who have, every day 
during this pandemic, served every household and every business in 
America on time and reliably, in terms of providing that lifeline and 
that one constant in our lives that we depend on.
  This bill is going to shore that up and buttress that. It represents 
a bipartisan compromise that is long overdue, and I salute the 
leadership of our committee, our chairwoman and our ranking member, in 
being able to forge that bipartisan coalition that allows us to address 
this issue today in a meaningful way and to pass this bill.
  Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bacon).
  Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3076, the 
Postal Service Reform Act.
  The United States Postal Service has been part of our society since 
Benjamin Franklin was appointed the first Postmaster General in 1775. 
However, with the ever-advancing digital economy, the Postal Service's 
financial difficulties are well known in modern times.
  This bill takes the necessary steps toward addressing the financial 
and operational issues facing the Postal Service and properly updates 
them for the 21st century. A first-class postal system is critical for 
businesses and our economy; it keeps 330 million Americans connected.
  This bill also seeks to repair the Postal Service's unsustainable 
health and retirement benefits by coordinating an enrollment into 
Medicare. Under current law, the Postal Service is required to annually 
prepay future retirement health benefits, an obligation Congress does 
not require of most other public or private entities. The Postal 
Service is bound by statute into this unmanageable system while still 
being required to work like a private business.

  Congress tied their hands. We created this problem, and now it has 
been returned to sender. The package will not stamp out all the Postal 
Service's problems overnight, but it is grounded in established 
practices and will help deliver first-class-level results worthy of the 
legacy of Ben Franklin.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes 
to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio), the distinguished chairman 
of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
  Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Speaker, I thank Mrs. Maloney for getting us to 
this point today, and I thank the ranking member also.
  Postal reform has been languishing around here for more than a 
decade, and we are finally there. The two largest elements of this 
bill--one was already just mentioned by Representative Connolly, the 
absurd prefunding mandate that was stuck in at midnight in a 
conference, and no one knew it was there. It was back during the Bush 
administration. They were trying to kill off the Postal Service.
  It said you will prepay healthcare for the next 75 years of 
employees. That means people who weren't even born yet, people who 
might go to work for the Postal Service someday, that might retire, we 
are prepaying their healthcare. That has been an incredible burden on 
the Postal Service.
  Now, that is going to be fixed. We are going to do away with that. 
That is a bill I have carried for many years, the USPS Fairness Act. We 
had, actually, 277 cosponsors on that bill in this Congress. I am very 
pleased it was included as a key part of reform.
  The other one is to have postal retirees sign up for Medicare like 
our Federal retirees. That saves another $23 billion.
  Those two things alone will put the Postal Service solvent into the 
near future, and we will take other steps to increase efficiency.
  The Postal Service is critical. They will go where the private sector 
will not go, does not want to go. I have people who live in the most 
remote parts of my district, very remote. They make a living on eBay 
and selling things. If the Postal Service wouldn't pick up their 
packages and wouldn't deliver their packages with that box rate, they 
couldn't make a living. FedEx isn't going to go out there; UPS isn't 
going to go out there. In fact, they dump all the stuff about 25 miles 
away from Powers and say: Hey, take this out to that little town. We 
don't want to go out that far.
  It is an absolutely crucial service for tens of millions of 
Americans, and today, we are going to ensure its future.
  Madam Speaker, I urge passage of this bill, and I thank the chair and 
the ranking member for their work.

                              {time}  1500

  Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
North Dakota (Mr. Armstrong), who has been a strong supporter of reform 
from day one.
  Mr. ARMSTRONG. Madam Speaker, we all know the importance of the U.S. 
Postal Service and its core mission of prompt, reliable, and efficient 
mail service to all Americans, regardless of where they live.
  This is essential in States like North Dakota, where even the most 
rural postal customers rely on the USPS for the reliable delivery of 
everything from electric bills to essential medicine.
  But for too long, Congress has ignored the substantial problems 
plaguing the U.S. Postal Service. From declining mail volume to 
operational inefficiency, the Postal Service has been stuck with a 
business model that is not suited to meet the needs of the 21st 
century.
  This body has been complicit in allowing the financially independent 
Postal Service to die a slow death over the last 15 years. In that 
time, we have seen mail volume collapse by 40 percent; annual losses 
total more than $90 billion; and the addition of more than 1 million 
new delivery points every year.
  When I was on the floor debating these issues last Congress, I said 
the Postal Service does not need a short-term bailout; it needs serious 
reform. This bill begins that process.
  H.R. 3076 is complementary to Postmaster General DeJoy's 10-year 
reform plan and his request to Congress. This bill increases 
accountability by requiring a public dashboard with national and local 
service performance data that is routinely updated. It supports the 
delivery of mail at least 6 days per week. It requires regular 
reporting to Congress so we can keep on top of the Postal Service's 
plan and ensure the investment goals, cost savings, and revenue 
projections are met.
  It is more important than ever to support initiatives that place the 
Postal Service on a path to financial stability and maintain its self-
sufficiency. With a current projected insolvency date of 2024, delaying 
postal reform today will only make future decisions more difficult and 
more expensive. The status quo is simply not an option.
  I appreciate Ranking Member Comer and Chairwoman Maloney coming 
together on this bipartisan bill to do the hard work of making the 
Postal Service more reliable and sustainable in the long term, and I 
urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to

[[Page H1045]]

the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), the distinguished vice 
chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair and the ranking 
member for this amazing legislation.
  To my good friend from Oregon, Mr. DeFazio, I remember that bill year 
after year after year because the post office was given the death 
penalty. That is what happened in the dark of night.
  I worked for the post office. Yes, I remember sorting the mail in 
those old days. But what I most remember is the 1 million new delivery 
points every year that the post office adds. While others are making a 
lot of money, they go to the rural areas.
  I also remember the letter carriers, the rural postmasters, and all 
the hardworking men and women who were coming to us week after week, 
day after day, and said: We are dying out here, and we need to be able 
to have our healthcare taken care of.
  But guess what? The post office had to prepay it. No one else had 
ever had to do that. It was one of the highest liabilities. Along with 
that, they were required to fund their pension liabilities at a much 
higher level than the rest of the Federal Government.
  To conserve cash, they hadn't been paying since 2012. Can you 
imagine, they stopped paying their bills since 2012 because they didn't 
have any money?
  By more closely integrating Medicare, USPS estimates it can save 
$22.6 billion over 10 years. What a smart thing to do.
  Then, of course, the Postal Service Reform Act would eliminate the 
requirement of the prepaid retirement. And, then, it would require USPS 
to develop a public-facing online dashboard.
  Again, the idea is to save the post office for the American people, 
save it for the workers, and save it because it is patriotic to do so. 
I congratulate you.
  Madam Speaker, as a senior member of the House and the Committee on 
Homeland Security, and as Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, 
Terrorism, and Homeland Security, and a member of the Equality Caucus, 
I rise in strong support of H.R. 3076, the Postal Service Reform Act of 
2022.
  Passage of this legislation is urgently needed because USPS incurred 
its fourteenth consecutive net annual loss in 2020, and even if USPS 
continues to default on mandated payments, it would likely run out of 
cash to fund its operations prior to 2024.
  Madam Speaker, USPS funds the universal mail service it provides to 
nearly 159 million delivery points solely through the sale of postage.
  USPS adds one million new delivery points every year, even as mail 
volume continues to fall.
  This means USPS must deliver less and less mail to more and more 
places.
  In addition, several congressional mandates imposed when mail volume 
was at its peak put USPS on the road to insolvency.
  USPS is required to pre-fund the health care costs of its employees, 
regardless of whether they actually serve until retirement.
  USPS is also required to fund its pension liabilities at a much 
higher level than the rest of the federal government.
  To conserve cash, USPS has defaulted on retiree health care payments 
since 2012.
  That is why the key reforms in the Postal Service Reform Act of 2021 
are so important.
  First, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2021 would require future 
Postal Service retirees, who have been paying into Medicare their 
entire careers, to enroll in Medicare.
  Currently, roughly a quarter of postal retirees do not enroll in 
Medicare even though they are eligible, which means USPS is stuck 
paying far higher premiums than any other public or private sector 
employer.
  By more closely integrating Medicare, USPS estimates it could save 
approximately $22.6 billion over 10 years.
  Second, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2021 would eliminate the 
requirement that USPS pre-fund retiree health benefits for all current 
and retired employees for 75 years in the future.
  No private company or other federal government entity is required to 
comply with such a burdensome requirement and its elimination is 
estimated to drastically reduce its prefunding liability and allow USPS 
to save roughly $27 billion over 10 years.
  Third, USPS Reform Act of 2021 would require USPS to develop a 
public-facing, online dashboard with national and local level service 
performance data updated each week to provide additional transparency 
and promote compliance with on-time delivery of mail.
  Fourth, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2021 would require USPS to 
deliver both mail and packages at least six days per week across an 
integrated network.
  Finally, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2021 would allow USPS to 
enter into agreements with State, local, and tribal governments to 
provide non-commercial property and services that provide enhanced 
value, do not detract from core postal services, and provide a 
reasonable contribution to Postal Service institutional costs.
  In addition, the legislation contains several provisions that will 
improve the effectiveness of the Postal Service, including:
  The expansion of special rates for local newspaper distribution to 
promote local news organizations;
  A Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) review of cost attribution 
guidelines for different Postal Service products to ensure pricing 
accuracy and better accounting;
  Increased funding autonomy and control for the Postal Regulatory 
Commission to increase its budgetary resources commensurate with its 
mission of regulating the Postal Service, and to shield the PRC from 
government shutdowns;
  A study on operational inefficiencies in Postal Service flats and 
magazine processing;
  Regular congressional reporting on Postal Service operations and 
financial performance to enable accountability of stated cost savings, 
revenue, and infrastructure investment goals;
  Adjustments to the considerations USPS must make when deciding which 
mode of transportation to use to deliver mail in order to ensure 
greater consistency and reliability; and
  The consolidation of the PRC's small Inspector General Office into 
the more robust Postal Service Office of Inspector General.
  Madam Speaker, the Postal Service's unmatched network and Universal 
Service Obligation serves 159 million homes and businesses every day, 
processing and delivering an average of 430 million pieces of mail and 
packages per day.
  In fact, USPS often delivers seven days a week due to demand and 
necessity.
  This has been especially true during the Covid-19 pandemic as 
American homes, businesses and private shippers have relied on the 
Postal Service to meet their needs in these extraordinary times.
  Madam Speaker, I strongly support this legislation and urge all 
Members to join me in voting for H.R. 3076, the Postal Service Reform 
Act of 2021.
  Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Alaska 
(Mr. Young), the dean of the House.
  Mr. YOUNG. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Comer and Mrs. Maloney. This is a 
good bill.
  I have been working on this program for, actually, 48 years. I was 
here when they stopped the post office, when we used to run it, and we 
caused this mess. You guys are cleaning it up. I want my colleagues to 
know this is the right way to go for the post office.
  Now, you may wonder why I am so excited about this bill. Try living 
in Alaska when you don't have any roads. Try not having anything but 
the post office. Try to get your medicines and all the other things. 
The post office is the key to the communities in Alaska. This bill 
solves all the problems for the post office.
  I am proud of the work you have done. I want to thank the staff who 
worked on this legislation. It was a hard issue because there are some 
people who say: Oh, let them go private. Don't worry about it.
  You can't run something like this in the State of Alaska. Because of 
our distances and lack of transportation, the post office is the key to 
our economy in our great State. I want to thank both of you for the 
work you have done. God bless you.

[[Page H1046]]

  

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes 
to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch), the distinguished 
chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I thank Chair Maloney and Ranking Member 
Comer for the great work they have done on this bill.
  As the son of a postal worker, my mom; as the brother of two postal 
workers, my sisters Karen and Linda; and as a nephew and cousin to 
about at least a dozen more, especially Pat Morris, my favorite, I rise 
in strong support of H.R. 3076, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022.
  This landmark reform agreement will finally place our most trusted 
government institution on a path toward financial viability. It is the 
product of bipartisan collaboration and meaningful stakeholder input. 
It focuses solely on fundamental reform areas that have long been the 
subject of bipartisan and stakeholder consensus.
  To that end, H.R. 3076 repeals the onerous mandate in current law 
requiring the Postal Service to prefund retiree health benefits years 
before it is necessary.
  The agreement also integrates postal retiree health benefits with 
Medicare to ensure that all postal workers receive the benefits that 
they have already paid for, a total of more than $35 billion over the 
last 40 years.
  Moreover, this legislation codifies our support for an integrated 
network through which nearly 650,000 dedicated clerks, mail handlers, 
letter carriers, supervisors, and postmasters process and deliver mail 
and packages to the American people at least 6 days a week, even amid a 
global pandemic.
  I want to acknowledge the tireless contributions of our employee 
partners, especially the unions, in this effort, including President 
Fred Rolando of the National Association of Letter Carriers, Paul 
Hogrogian of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, President Ronnie 
Stutts of the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association, and 
President Mark Dimondstein of the American Postal Workers Union.
  I also want to recognize Kori Blalock Keller, Jim Sauber, Paul 
Swartz, Katie Maddocks, Brian Young, and Judy Beard, and the 
irreplaceable Bob Losi, my great pal and union brother, and all their 
staffs for their good work.
  Again, I commend Chairwoman Maloney, Ranking Member Comer, Chairman 
Connolly, Representative Lawrence, and our dear departed friend Elijah 
Cummings, who put a lot of time in on this, for their great work.
  I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support H.R. 3076.
  Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
New York (Ms. Malliotakis).
  Ms. MALLIOTAKIS. Madam Speaker, I proudly rise today in support of 
this bipartisan Postal Service Reform Act.
  Our postal workers are the reliable chain that links Americans and 
businesses, from coast to coast.
  This bill improves the efficiency of the Postal Service by 
streamlining the transportation network, optimizing the workforce to 
avoid costly overtime, and requiring reporting accountability.
  Additionally, it eliminates the requirement that the USPS prepays 75 
years' worth of retiree health benefits, saving $27 billion over the 
next 10 years. It also improves customer service by requiring 6-day 
delivery.
  It is time for us to pave a better path for our neighbors who rely on 
and work for the U.S. Postal Service, like John Byers, who recently 
retired after 40 years of dedicated service to my district.
  I strongly encourage my colleagues to stand alongside our postal 
workers and vote for this bill.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes 
to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Lawrence), the distinguished co-
chair of the Congressional Women's Caucus.
  Mrs. LAWRENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3076, 
the Postal Service Reform Act.
  As the only Member of Congress who served an entire career of 30 
years at the post office before coming to this House, I am thrilled to 
support legislation that will be the groundwork for the Postal Service 
to continue serving America.
  I came to Congress with a promise to my constituents and to this 
country that I would fight to protect and to ensure that we uphold and 
make sure that our Postal Service is strong. Throughout my career, I 
was a letter carrier, a clerk, a supervisor, and then moved up to 
management. I know firsthand how important the Postal Service is. As a 
matter of fact, I call myself a public servant. I know the hard work of 
our postal employees and how much this bill means to them and their 
lives.
  I know that, today, in a bipartisan way--how amazing is that to say 
on this floor--we are working to uphold our commitment to address the 
longstanding financial issues facing this agency.
  Every day, the dedicated Postal Service workers deliver packages 
around this country. They deliver them to us. Today, Congress has the 
opportunity to deliver a package that will take care of the Postal 
Service, one that is established by the Constitution, to ensure that 
neither rain, sleet, nor snow will deter them from their appointed 
rounds.
  Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
New York (Ms. Tenney).
  Ms. TENNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3076, the 
bipartisan Postal Service Reform Act.
  Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution gives Congress the power to 
establish post offices and to make all laws which shall be necessary 
and proper for executing that task. Yes, the U.S. Postal Service, like 
the Department of Defense, is a constitutionally created entity.
  As a lawyer and longtime small business owner and publisher of a 
direct mailed newspaper, the importance of access to our unique system 
of universal mail via the United States Postal Service is a game 
changer.
  Affordable and reliable mail service has given small businesses and 
entrepreneurs a level playing field that would be eliminated if the 
Postal Service were to be replaced by other more expensive private 
options.
  Seniors and vulnerable citizens rely on the Postal Service for access 
to prescriptions. Small businesses and farmers rely on the post office 
to provide reliable and affordable daily delivery. Families across 
America, and especially rural America, need the Postal Service to stay 
connected here and around the world.
  This bill ensures the U.S. Postal Service can continue delivering 
universal mail services for years to come by alleviating financial 
burdens and increasing transparency and accountability.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute 
to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), the 
distinguished chair of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I thank the distinguished chair and our 
ranking member for this bipartisan bill, and I am pleased to speak 
today in support of the Postal Service Reform Act. Amongst other good 
policy, this bill would finally get rid of the prefunding of retirement 
health benefits that has unnecessarily marked the U.S. Postal Service's 
finances in a way that other Federal agencies are not treated, nor the 
private sector.
  Under current law, the Postal Service is required to prefund retiree 
health benefits for all current and retired employees for 75 years in 
the future. This is a unique requirement, and I am pleased that this 
bill that enjoys widespread support would fix this. The bill amends the 
2006 Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act to correct this 
accounting problem, allowing the Postal Service to save an astonishing 
$27 billion over the course of 10 years. The accounting problem led to 
U.S. Postal Service showing losses annually of $5.2 billion since 2007 
when the U.S. Postal Service, from 2013 to 2018, instead would have 
shown a surplus of nearly $4 billion.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Jackson Lee). The time of the 
gentlewoman has expired.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield the 
gentlewoman an additional 15 seconds.
  Ms. NORTON. I would be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to 
note my strong concerns about delayed and undelivered mail in the 
District of Columbia. Throughout most of the pandemic, I have written 
to the Postal Service to repeatedly raise these concerns. These 
problems at the Postal

[[Page H1047]]

Service in the Nation's Capital and throughout the country need 
immediate attention.
  I thank Congresswoman Maloney for her leadership on this important 
issue.

                              {time}  1515

  Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Garbarino).
  Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3076, 
the Postal Service Reform Act of 2021.
  The United States Postal Service is in urgent need of reform. The 
U.S. Postal Service provides an essential service to the American 
people, but due to losses in revenue year after year, the long-term 
viability of that service is in jeopardy. In fact, it is projected that 
the U.S. Postal Service will run out of money completely by 2024.
  This bill would institute reforms that would save the Postal Service 
an estimated $46 billion over 10 years. Among other provisions, the 
Postal Service Reform Act would require postal employees to enroll in 
Medicare when they are eligible and to eliminate the unreasonable 
requirement that the Postal Service prefund its retiree health benefits 
75 years into the future.
  Additionally, this bill would improve service by instituting 
transparency requirements, promoting compliance with on-time delivery 
of mail, requiring operation of at least 6 days a week, and expanding 
nonpostal services.
  We cannot turn a blind eye to the collapse of our postal system. I 
urge every one of my colleagues to support this bill to prevent this.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute 
to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives.
  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and 
I salute the leadership of Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney and Ranking 
Member   James Comer. I thank them both for bringing this important 
legislation to the floor and their determined leadership to have a 
bipartisan bill, which is really important, and doing so, again, in a 
spirit of bipartisanship that would make our Founders proud.
  Madam Speaker, 230 years ago this month our fledgling Nation took a 
bold step toward the future by formally establishing the modern United 
States Postal Service, a beautiful thread that continues to weave 
together communities across America.
  Today, I rise in support of the Postal Service Reform Act, which 
takes long overdue actions to strengthen this pillar of our democracy 
so that it can continue to serve our communities for decades to come.
  Since our earliest days, when couriers on horseback traversed the 
Colonies, America's postal system has been a model for the world.
  Indeed, our Founders knew the value of a strong Postal Service, 
enshrining it into Article I, Section 8 of our Constitution: ``The 
Congress shall have the power . . . to establish post offices and post 
roads.''
  And, when Alexis de Tocqueville visited in the early 19th century, he 
was in awe of how our Postal Service brought Americans together, 
writing there was ``no French province in which the inhabitants knew 
each other as well as 13 million men spread over the extent of the 
United States.''
  Yet, decades of poor policy decisions and chronic underinvestment 
have put this all-American institution on the path of insolvency. As 
was indicated by the gentleman who just spoke, experts project that 
USPS will run out of cash as soon as 2024; and reduced services and 
added delays would only continue and bring harm in every ZIP Code.
  Meanwhile, our Nation continues to ask more and more of our postal 
workers. Today, they deliver to nearly 159 million delivery points--
imagine that--159 million delivery points--across the Nation, and they 
add one million more delivery points each year. And millions of 
Americans depend on the USPS to deliver prescriptions, Social Security 
benefits, paychecks, tax returns, absentee ballots, and more.
  I will just say in the period of COVID the U.S. Postal Service was 
angelic. It was delivering prescriptions to our veterans who were in 
need of those prescriptions, as well as to seniors and others. So we 
thank them for that.
  So this legislation would put the Postal Service on stronger 
financial footing while improving the reliability of its services while 
protecting the benefits of employees and retirees.
  The legislation makes bipartisan, commonsense provisions that will 
welcome all future postal retirees into Medicare, free the U.S. Postal 
Service from the unnecessary requirement to prefund retiree health 
benefits 75 years in advance--and we call that a financial albatross--
and improve USPS reliability with new transparency measures that will 
help ensure consistent on-time mail delivery.
  I have much more on that that I will submit for the Record, Madam 
Speaker.
  As a mother of five and grandmother of nine, I heavily depend on the 
Postal Service for all kinds of things. Children write letters to 
Santa. They still write letters to Santa. They do not text Santa. Some 
do, maybe, but the letter to Santa is very important. Parents sharing 
graduation photos; friends offering condolences; wedding announcements; 
whatever it is, it is still the duty of the Postal Service to deliver 
it. And servicemembers communicating with home is so important.
  This important legislation takes the strong step to empower the 
Postal Service to continue its crucial mission to improve our lives, 
touch our hearts, and connect our communities.
  With that, I once again want to thank Chairwoman Maloney and Ranking 
Member Comer, and I urge a strong bipartisan vote for this legislation.
  And again, even though we are communicating electronically in so many 
ways, there is no substitute for that personal connection that the 
Postal Service provides for us.
  Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Rouzer).
  Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I had not originally planned to speak on this bill, 
but I think there are several things that need to be underscored. And 
before I get into those, let me say we have all had our moments with 
the Postal Service; I certainly have. But this is one agency that is 
specifically prescribed by the Constitution. Major reforms are always 
hard, and when we have the opportunity to make these reforms, we need 
to take that opportunity.
  Part of the reason why I am so strongly in support of this bill is my 
friend Louis DeJoy, who is the Postmaster General. There is no one more 
capable and qualified to serve in that capacity. This is a gentleman 
who is one in a million.
  Now is the best time to get these reforms passed and get them 
implemented. If we don't do it now, it may never happen.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute 
to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Krishnamoorthi), the distinguished 
chair of the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy.
  Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for 
yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Postal Service Reform Act. I 
thank Chairwoman Maloney and Ranking Member Comer for delivering good 
news for America.
  What is this good news? This bill eliminates the retirement health 
prefunding mandate. It requires 6-day-a-week delivery. It increases 
transparency and accountability for the Postal Service.
  I thank all of our allies who have been working to pass this bill, 
including the letter carriers, post handlers, rural carriers, postal 
workers. Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, nor 
politics or partisanship can get in the way of this bill.
  I urge swift passage of the Postal Service Reform Act.
  Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick).
  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the 
Postal Service Reform Act.
  As my colleagues have pointed out here, this is a long-overdue reform 
measure that will ensure 6-day delivery, eliminate the prefund mandate 
which, by the way, applies only to the U.S. Postal Service. Not a 
single other government agency across this Nation

[[Page H1048]]

has been subject to this wildly outrageous provision that has 
significantly undermined the financial stability of the post office.
  Madam Speaker, the very first Postmaster General was someone from my 
hometown of Philadelphia, a man by the name of Ben Franklin. His annual 
salary was $1,000 a year. And you look at the history of the U.S. 
Postal Service, all the way up to and including the time of the COVID-
19 pandemic where they were up there on the front lines serving our 
communities, serving our constituents, making sure that our country 
continued to run. We owe them this support to reform these measures and 
ensure the stability and strength of our hero letter carriers and 
postal workers across our Nation.
  Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time I have 
remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Kentucky has 8\1/2\ 
minutes remaining. The gentlewoman from New York has 9 minutes 
remaining.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute 
to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Danny K. Davis), the distinguished 
chairman of the Worker and Family Support Subcommittee.
  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I commend the 
chairwoman of this committee and ranking member for bringing this very 
important bipartisan bill to the floor.
  I associate myself with many of the comments that have been made by 
colleagues on both sides, but I also remember when Chicago, the third 
largest city in the United States of America, believed that its Postal 
Service was the best thing it had going. We took great pride in it. 
That has not been the case for the last several years.
  And so we are coming to this point today where we can restore the 
viability of our Postal Service. I also worked at the post office. It 
was my first real job. And we had a saying: ``Clean hands, gentle 
touch, surely we owe a letter that much.'' We will restore that.
  Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute 
to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), the distinguished chair of 
the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development.
  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this 
bipartisan United States Postal Service and Postal Service Reform bill.
  By eliminating the unnecessary and harmful mandate to prefund retiree 
benefits, and preserving 6-day delivery, we are investing in our 
hardworking postal workers and safeguarding this vital American 
service.
  For more than 200 years, the United States Postal Service has 
delivered to households and businesses in every community on every 
block in every State of our great Nation. What an American enterprise.
  Through rain, sleet, and snow, hundreds of thousands of postal 
workers serve America every single day, making sure we all remain 
connected.
  I was a carrier; I know, too.
  The United States Postal Service is foundational to our American way 
of life. It is incumbent upon Congress to support this cherished and 
essential institution for all the generations to come.
  I urge all of my colleagues to vote for the Postal Service Reform 
bill and vote for the United States Postal Service.
  I thank all those who labored for so many years to bring this to the 
floor. Congratulations to you and to America.
  Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1530

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to 
close, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I thank my House colleagues for their heartfelt remarks today.
  Madam Speaker, America's most esteemed institution, the United States 
Postal Service, is in trouble. Since the 1970s legislative reform, 
Congress has expected the Postal Service to operate as an independent 
and self-sufficient organization. However, for years, the Postal 
Service has spent far more than it has brought in, and last year alone 
lost over $9 billion. Many of these challenges are beyond the control 
of prior Postal Service leadership.
  The U.S. Congress has legally obligated the Postal Service to provide 
universal mail service delivery. Today, that means delivery to over 160 
million addresses. This is a massive and expensive undertaking that 
cannot be glossed over. Additionally, as our Nation's population and 
economy continues to grow, so will the Postal Service's ever-increasing 
expenses.
  H.R. 3076 does not change this universal service obligation, but we 
risk having that difficult national conversation if we do nothing. The 
price for inaction is a Postal Service that will eventually require 
drastic service reductions, especially in rural, remote parts of 
America, or continual taxpayer-funded bailouts, which no conservative 
and no taxpayer should want. Neither are desirable options.
  We have an opportunity to pass targeted legislation to relieve the 
Postal Service of certain financial hardships and bolster its ambitious 
structure reform initiatives.
  This moment, with a bipartisan bill and bold Postal Service 
leadership at the helm, may not be easily replicated in future years. I 
urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 3036.
  Madam Speaker, before I yield back, I would be remiss if I didn't say 
my grandmother spent her whole career as a rural mail carrier. Her name 
was Maitred Witcher, and she had Route 1 in Red Boiling Springs, 
Tennessee. I grew up with an appreciation for our mail carriers and I 
appreciate all the hardworking employees of the U.S. Postal Service.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 
such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, as we have heard many times on the floor today, the 
Postal Service is vital to the United States. It is so important that 
the Founding Fathers put it in the Constitution, right there under 
Article I. They did this because they knew that the Postal Service 
would keep our people connected and would ensure that no matter where a 
person lives in this country, they can receive mail and other critical 
deliveries.
  As the gentleman, the dean, from Alaska said, one stamp can take you 
from across the street in an urban area all the way to Alaska to some 
of the most remote areas. It is a critical, critical service.
  Madam Speaker, this bipartisan bill will dramatically improve the 
financial situation of the Postal Service--and I would say the country 
that depends on it--and enable it to continue performing these 
essential services for the American people.
  We all know firsthand the incredible job that the postal workers did 
during the COVID-19 crisis, risking their lives to deliver our mail 
every day. While many of us were quarantined and safe in our homes, 
they were out interacting with people every day providing the service. 
At times in my district, half the Postal Service was out sick with 
COVID because of the interaction that they did to save our lives.
  Just as 9/11 was helped so dramatically by the police and fire, along 
with the healthcare workers, this COVID crisis was helped dramatically 
by the Postal Service. They are really the heroes and heroines of this 
crisis.
  Madam Speaker, I share my thanks for the support of so many of my 
colleagues on both sides of the aisle who understand and support the 
necessity of these reforms. A vote for this bill is not only a vote for 
the post office, I would say it is a vote for yourself, for the 
services that we all receive, for America, for our institutions, and 
our values.
  Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a letter that lists all the 
Members who reached out to indicate that they would have cosponsored 
the bill had they had the opportunity to do so.

         Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of 
           Representatives,
                                 Washington, DC, February 8, 2022.
     Cheryl L. Johnson,
     Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Ms. Johnson: As a result of a clerical error, numerous 
     Members of Congress who had expressed interest in 
     cosponsoring H.R. 3076, the Postal Service Reform Act, were 
     not added to the bill before it was discharged

[[Page H1049]]

     from all committees and placed on the union calendar. Below 
     is a list of the Members of Congress who would have 
     cosponsored H.R. 3076 had they been able to be added.
       Brad Sherman (CA), David B. McKinley (WV), Andy Levin (MI), 
     Maria Elvira Salazar (FL), Mark Pocan (WI), Mariannnette 
     Miller-Meeks (IA), Salud Carbajal (CA), Madeleine Dean (PA), 
     Eric Swalwell (CA), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE), Veronica 
     Escobar (TX), Jim Langevin (RI), Peter DeFazio (OR), Yvette 
     D. Clarke (NY), Peter Welch (VT), Betty McCollum (MN), Bobby 
     L. Rush (IL), Marc Veasey (TX), David Trone (MD), Nydia 
     Velazquez (NY), Brendan Boyle (PA), Alma Adams (NC).
       Raul M. Grijalva (AZ), Ann Kuster (NH), Jim Himes (CT), 
     Robin Kelly (IL), Doris Matsui (CA), Rashida Tlaib (MI), Tom 
     Malinowski (NJ), Barbara Lee (CA), Haley Stevens (MI), Jake 
     Auchincloss (MA), Pramila Jayapal (WA), Greg Stanton (AZ), 
     Judy Chu (CA), Gregory Meeks (NY), John Yarmuth (KY), Deborah 
     Ross (NC), Colin Allred (TX), Antonio Delgado (NY), Jim 
     McGovern (MA), Donald Payne Jr. (NJ), Diana DeGette (CO), 
     William Keating (MA).
       Sara Jacobs (CA), David Cicilline (RI), Andre Carson (IN), 
     Kweisi Mfume (MD), Mark DeSaulnier (CA), Lizzie Fletcher 
     (TX), Emanuel Cleaver (MO), Luis Correa (CA), Henry Cuellar 
     (TX), Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA), Paul Tonko (NY), Adam Smith 
     (WA), Suzan K. DelBene (WA), Danny K. Davis (IL), Chrissy 
     Houlahan (PA).
       Jared Golden (ME), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA), Mike Levin (CA), 
     Matt Cartwright (PA), Sean Casten (IL), Vicente Gonzalez 
     (TX), Suzanne Bonamici (OR), Michael Waltz (FL), Julia 
     Brownley (CA), Jamie Raskin (MD), Ashley Hinson (IA), Glenn 
     ``GT'' Thompson (PA), Mark Takano (CA), Adam Schiff (CA), 
     Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX).
           Sincerely,

                                            Carolyn B. Maloney

                                                       Chairwoman,
                                Committee on Oversight and Reform.

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I also include in 
the Record a list of over 200 diverse organizations across our country 
that support this bill.

                                 United States Postal Service,

                                    Washington, DC, June 28, 2021.
     Hon. Gary C. Peters,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
         Affairs, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Rob Portman,
     Ranking Member, Committee on Homeland Security and 
         Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Carolyn P. Maloney,
     Chairwoman, Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
     Hon. James Comer,
     Ranking Member, Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Peters, Chairwoman Maloney, Ranking Member 
     Portman, and Ranking Member Comer: I want to salute your 
     leadership in introducing bipartisan, bicameral legislation 
     to restore the Postal Service to financial sustainability 
     while advancing service and operational accountability. You 
     have struck an important balance in the Postal Service Reform 
     Act, evident by the impressive list of bipartisan original 
     cosponsors. The American people and the men and women of the 
     Postal Service will be the beneficiaries of this outstanding 
     work for years to come.
       The Postal Service supports the bill and has provided your 
     staff with modest technical refinements that we hope will be 
     adopted as the legislative process advances. We have provided 
     similar feedback to the Office of Management and Budget at 
     their request. Postal reform legislation has faltered in past 
     Congresses when language is added that unsettles the kind of 
     careful balance you have achieved in this bill. Accordingly, 
     I would commend your collective resolve in advancing a reform 
     bill limited to the current set of provisions.
       I wanted to particularly comment on Section 202, the 
     Integrated Delivery Network provision, which as introduced 
     requires six-day delivery through an integrated delivery 
     network for market-dominant and competitive products. This 
     provision sets forth important principles that underlie the 
     Postal Service's provision of universal mail and package 
     delivery service and that therefore benefit the American 
     people. I strongly urge you to retain the wording as 
     introduced, despite what we consider to be a parochial and 
     misguided effort to modify or eliminate it.
       I have elaborated in an attachment on the reasons this 
     provision is so essential to our mission.
       I look forward to continuing to work with you to advance 
     the postal reform legislation you have put forward to serve 
     the interests of the American people. Each of you have 
     already shown yourselves to be exceptional leaders to 
     preserve this essential institution and its noble mission. 
     Please let me how we can assist in your important efforts.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Louis DeJoy,
     Postmaster General, CEO.
                                  ____



             an integrated network enables six-day delivery

       I offer the following context regarding the merit of the 
     language proposed in Section 202 of your bill, which would 
     amend how the Postal Service's universal service obligation 
     is described in our enabling statute, Title 39 of the United 
     State Code. Specifically, that provision would amend 39 
     U.S.C. 101(b) by adding the following: ``The Postal Service 
     shall maintain an integrated network for the delivery of 
     market-dominant and competitive products (as defined in 
     chapter 36 of this title). Delivery shall occur at least six 
     days a week, except during weeks that include a Federal 
     holiday or in emergency situations, such as natural 
     disasters.''
       Initially, the Postal Service took the position that it was 
     not necessary to codify in Title 39 the requirement to 
     deliver six days a week. We argued the ``Delivering for 
     America'' plan includes at its core the ``maintenance of 
     universal six-day mail delivery and expanded seven-day 
     package delivery reach.'' Recognizing, however, that it is 
     Congress's prerogative to interpret and define the scope of 
     the Postal Service's universal service obligation, we 
     understand the policy goal of including a requirement to 
     deliver six-days a week in Title 39, rather than continuing 
     to include it as a rider to annual appropriations 
     legislation. In particular, we understand that Congress 
     wishes to make it clear in our enabling statute that it is 
     appropriate public policy, and in the best interests of the 
     American people, that the Postal Service provide at least six 
     days of mail and package delivery as a central aspect of our 
     universal service mission.
       This same rationale applies equally to the language 
     requiring the retention of the ``integrated network for the 
     delivery of market-dominant and competitive products'' 
     concept with any codified six-day delivery requirement. This 
     language properly reflects that the unitary postal delivery 
     network has delivered letters as well as packages at the same 
     time and through the same delivery network for well over a 
     century. American businesses and consumers benefit from the 
     economies of scope and density resulting from the delivery of 
     packages across the Postal Service's universal service 
     network, which reduces the average cost of every mail-piece 
     in the network and leads to more affordable prices for both 
     mail and packages. These benefits accrue to other shipping 
     companies as well, who can access the Postal Service's 
     delivery network through our Parcel Select product. Overall, 
     society as a whole benefits from these economies, and there 
     is nothing unfair or inappropriate about them. Simply put, 
     and just like 6-day delivery, an integrated network for the 
     delivery of mail and packages is in the best interests of the 
     American people.
       The Postal Service also considers this language to provide 
     the appropriate operational flexibility. It does not prevent 
     us from structuring our delivery network in an optimal 
     fashion, such as by running special parcel routes as a 
     supplement to our normal integrated routes when business 
     conditions warrant. It also does not inhibit our ability to 
     structure our middle mile processing network in the manner 
     that we see fit, as it only applies to the delivery of mail 
     and packages, not processing.


      an integrated network enables our universal service mission

       Congress has recognized the importance of universal package 
     delivery, and we see the inclusion of this provision as 
     consistent with that fundamental principle. In this regard, 
     the universal delivery of packages is a core component of the 
     Postal Service's universal service mission. The Postal 
     Service provides affordable, universal package delivery 
     services to the American people in all communities whether 
     urban or rural, and to American businesses of all sizes. This 
     enables full participation by all Americans in the e-commerce 
     economy. The importance of this public service mission has 
     become even more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, 
     more than ever, there can be no doubt that the Postal Service 
     is part of the critical infrastructure of the country, 
     providing an essential service to the American people, 
     delivering packages with life-sustaining medications and 
     other necessary consumable goods throughout the pandemic, and 
     thereby shoring up the resilience of our nation.
       Not only do competitive products themselves represent an 
     important service, they also provide critical financial 
     support to other universal services. Package delivery enables 
     us to generate revenue that is absolutely necessary to 
     support the provision of prompt, reliable, and affordable 
     universal services in a self-sufficient manner, and therefore 
     critical to our financial sustainability. Our package 
     products generate an increasingly vital level of contribution 
     to support the Postal Service's universal service network and 
     thereby ensure the continued provision of reliable and 
     efficient universal postal services to all American people 
     and to all American businesses. Efforts that limit our 
     ability to compete equally or chip away at our revenue 
     generation capabilities are contrary to the public policy 
     goal that we be self-funded while continuing to provide 
     essential universal service to the nation.
       Therefore, if Congress believes that six-day delivery is 
     critical enough to the universal service obligation to codify 
     it in Title 39, then as a matter of sound public policy, it 
     should also recognize the equally critical importance of the 
     Postal Service providing both mail and package delivery 
     across an integrated postal delivery network.
       I encourage you to retain the language of Section 202 of 
     the Postal Service Reform Act of 2021 (H.R. 3076/S. 1720) as 
     introduced.


[[Page H1050]]


  

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. And I would again thank Ranking 
Member Comer for his partnership on this widely supported bill. It 
would not have happened without his partnership, and I am deeply 
grateful.
  Madam Speaker, with that, I urge all of my colleagues to support this 
historic bipartisan bill. We rarely get a chance to vote for a bill 
that helps so many people, that actually saves taxpayers money, that 
reforms our government, doesn't cost anything. We are just reforming 
and making government work better to serve the people. That is what 
this bill is. It is a win-win-win in every direction.
  Madam Speaker, I hope that this body would unanimously vote for it 
and send it to the Senate with a message that they should pass it as 
quickly as possible.
  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, Mr. Comer, for his leadership, 
his friendship, and for the long path we went through together to make 
this happen. I thank all my colleagues who participated in making this 
happen, particularly our Speaker and our leadership in this Congress.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to support this important 
legislation to bolster the United States Postal Service.
  As we all saw in the last few years, the postal service is vital to 
our communities and I'm glad that it is getting the attention that it 
deserves. From keeping rural and small-town America connected, to 
delivering Social Security checks and medications, to maintaining our 
democracy by ensuring that people can safely cast a vote, we have so 
much at stake.
  Meaningful postal reform affects us all and I am happy to support 
this critical program.
  Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
H.R. 3076, the Postal Reform Act. It is my hope that the changes in 
this legislation will help the United States Postal Service and its 
hardworking employees continue to serve our communities.
  Our communities depend on a strong and vibrant Postal Service. The 
United States Postal Service reaches into every community of every size 
across our nation through its unmatchable delivery network. Over 
600,000 hardworking Postal Service employees, nearly a quarter of them 
veterans, help the Postal Service carryout its obligations and provide 
top quality service to our communities which has helped the Postal 
Service consistently rank as one of the most respected institutions.
  My constituents, like most Americans, rely on the efficient and 
timely delivery of bills, parcels and medication by the Postal Service. 
And when asked to do more, our postal workers step up. For example, the 
administration recently leaned on the Postal Service to help distribute 
at home COVID test kits, given its presence and ability to reach every 
community in our country. It is critical that the House take up 
legislation to help strengthen the Postal Service. This debate has been 
long overdue and so I welcome today's vote. I hope our colleagues in 
the Senate will quickly follow suit.
  The challenges facing the Postal Service are well known. The adverse 
impact of mandates imposed by Congress in 2006 Postal Reform 
legislation that have hurt the Postal Service. The declining volume of 
first-class mail and associated revenue losses. Policy changes 
initiated by the current Postmaster General that has slowed the mail 
while raising mailing costs, a recipe for disaster.
  At the same time, the Postal Service has an aging vehicle fleet that 
becomes more expensive every year to maintain and keep on the road.
  The bill before us, while not perfect and not addressing every issue, 
would help put the Postal Service on a better path. I fear that every 
day of further inaction or delay on legislation such as the Postal 
Reform Act would only worsen the situation facing the Postal Service, 
its customers, and its employees. And failing to act may only lead to 
even more drastic measures and service cuts that will only adversely 
impact the millions of Americans and businesses that rely on the USPS. 
For example, some have used the current situation to push for ill-
advised privatization of the Postal Service.
  The Postal Reform Act includes provisions from stand-alone bills that 
I support such as preserving six-day mail delivery and repealing the 
requirement that the USPS prefund future retirement health benefits. 
And it would provide more flexibility for the Postal Service to offer 
work with state, local and tribal governments, to explore avenues to 
help generate more revenues.
  We need a strong and vibrant Postal Service that maintains accessible 
services for all in our community. As the most trusted institution in 
the federal government and the cornerstone of a trillion dollar plus 
industry, the Postal Service and its dedicated postal workforce deserve 
every effort on our part to ensure it remains a viable and thriving 
institution.
  I support this legislation and urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, as a senior member of the House and 
the Committee on Homeland Security, and as Chair of the Judiciary 
Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, and a member 
of the Equality Caucus, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3076, the 
Postal Service Reform Act of 2022.
  Passage of this legislation is urgently needed because USPS incurred 
its fourteenth consecutive net annual loss in 2020, and even if USPS 
continues to default on mandated payments, it would likely run out of 
cash to fund its operations prior to 2024.
  Madam Speaker, USPS funds the universal mail service it provides to 
nearly 159 million delivery points solely through the sale of postage.
  USPS adds one million new delivery points every year, even as mail 
volume continues to fall.
  This means USPS must deliver less and less mail to more and more 
places.
  In addition, several congressional mandates imposed when mail volume 
was at its peak put USPS on the road to insolvency.
  USPS is required to pre-fund the health care costs of its employees, 
regardless of whether they actually serve until retirement.
  USPS is also required to fund its pension liabilities at a much 
higher level than the rest of the federal government.
  To conserve cash, USPS has defaulted on retiree health care payments 
since 2012.
  That is why the key reforms in the Postal Service Reform Act of 2021 
are so important.
  First, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2021 would require future 
Postal Service retirees, who have been paying into Medicare their 
entire careers, to enroll in Medicare.
  Currently, roughly a quarter of postal retirees do not enroll in 
Medicare even though they are eligible, which means USPS is stuck 
paying far higher premiums than any other public or private sector 
employer.
  By more closely integrating Medicare, USPS estimates it could save 
approximately $22.6 billion over 10 years.
  Second, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2021 would eliminate the 
requirement that USPS pre-fund retiree health benefits for all current 
and retired employees for 75 years in the future.
  No private company or other federal government entity is required to 
comply with such a burdensome requirement and its elimination is 
estimated to drastically reduce its prefunding liability and allow USPS 
to save roughly $27 billion over 10 years.
  Third, USPS Reform Act of 2021 would require USPS to develop a 
public-facing, online dashboard with national and local level service 
performance data updated each week to provide additional transparency 
and promote compliance with on-time delivery of mail.
  Fourth, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2021 would require USPS to 
deliver both mail and packages at least six days per week across an 
integrated network.
  Finally, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2021 would allow USPS to 
enter into agreements with State, local, and tribal governments to 
provide non-commercial property and services that provide enhanced 
value, do not detract from core postal services, and provide a 
reasonable contribution to Postal Service institutional costs.
  In addition, the legislation contains several provisions that will 
improve the effectiveness of the Postal Service, including:
  1. The expansion of special rates for local newspaper distribution to 
promote local news organizations;
  2. A Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) review of cost attribution 
guidelines for different Postal Service products to ensure pricing 
accuracy and better accounting;
  3. Increased funding autonomy and control for the Postal Regulatory 
Commission to increase its budgetary resources commensurate with its 
mission of regulating the Postal Service, and to shield the PRC from 
government shutdowns;
  4. A study on operational inefficiencies in Postal Service flats and 
magazine processing;
  5. Regular congressional reporting on Postal Service operations and 
financial performance to enable accountability of stated cost savings, 
revenue, and infrastructure investment goals;
  6. Adjustments to the considerations USPS must make when deciding 
which mode of transportation to use to deliver mail in order to ensure 
greater consistency and reliability; and
  7. The consolidation of the PRC's small Inspector General Office into 
the more robust Postal Service Office of Inspector General.
  Madam Speaker, the Postal Service's unmatched network and Universal 
Service Obligation serves 159 million homes and businesses every day, 
processing and delivering an average of 430 million pieces of mail and 
packages per day.
  In fact, USPS often delivers seven days a week due to demand and 
necessity.

[[Page H1051]]

  This has been especially true during the Covid-19 pandemic as 
American homes, businesses and private shippers have relied on the 
Postal Service to meet their needs in these extraordinary times.
  Madam Speaker, I strongly support this legislation and urge all 
Members to join me in voting for H.R. 3076, the Postal Service Reform 
Act of 2021.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate on the bill has expired.


        Amendment Offered by Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, I have an amendment at the 
desk.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 17, line 2, strike ``2022'' and insert ``2023''.
       Page 17, beginning on line 5, strike ``section 1839(e) of 
     the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395r(e))'' and insert 
     ``an agreement between the United States Postal Service and 
     the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services 
     under section 1839(e)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 
     U.S.C. 1395r(e)(1))''.
       Page 18, line 9, strike ``by'' and insert ``for''.
       Page 20, strike lines 10 through 15 and insert the 
     following:
       ``(D) in consultation with the Centers for Medicare & 
     Medicaid Services and the Social Security Administration, 
     provide information to individuals about enrollment under the 
     Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security 
     Act, and refer individuals to the Centers for Medicare & 
     Medicaid Services and the Social Security Administration as 
     necessary for additional enrollment information; and''.
       Page 24, before line 24, insert the following:
       (C) Application to certain postal service annuitants or 
     family members.--Section 1862(b)(1)(E) of the Social Security 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(b)(1)(E)) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(iv) Application to certain postal service annuitants or 
     family members.--Nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit a 
     group health plan from determining an individual's 
     eligibility to enroll in a health benefits plan offered under 
     the Postal Service Health Benefits Program under section 
     8903c of title 5, United States Code, in accordance with 
     subsection (e) of such section.''.
       Page 26, line 19, strike ``a'' and insert ``the''.
       Page 28, line 5, strike ``(o).'' and insert ``(o)''.
       Page 28, starting on line 15, strike ``through'' and all 
     that follows through line 18, and insert the following: 
     ``through--
       ``(1) a prescription drug plan; or
       ``(2) contracts between such a Program plan and the PDP 
     sponsor of such a prescription drug plan.''.
       Page 29, line 13, strike the period at the end and insert 
     the following: ``, or who may be subject to the enrollment 
     requirements described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 
     8903c(e) of title 5, United States Code, as added by 
     subsection (a).''.
       Page 29, line 23, strike ``are eligible'' and insert ``may 
     be eligible''.
       Page 30, strike lines 9 through 16.
       Page 30, strike line 18 and all that follows through line 
     25 on page 31 and insert the following:
       (1) CMS appropriation.--In addition to amounts otherwise 
     available, there is appropriated to the Centers for Medicare 
     & Medicaid Services--Program Management Account, for fiscal 
     year 2022, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise 
     appropriated, $7,500,000, to remain available until expended, 
     for the purposes of carrying out this section, including the 
     amendments made by this section.
       (2) SSA appropriation.--In addition to amounts otherwise 
     available, there is appropriated to the Social Security 
     Administration for fiscal year 2022, out of any money in the 
     Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $16,000,000, to remain 
     available until expended, for the purposes of carrying out 
     this section (with the exception of the purposes set forth in 
     subsection (c)(3)(B)), including the amendments made by this 
     section.
       (3) OPM appropriation.--In addition to amounts otherwise 
     available, there is appropriated to the Office of Personnel 
     Management for fiscal year 2022, out of any money in the 
     Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $70,500,000, to remain 
     available until expended, for the purposes of carrying out 
     this section, including the amendments made by this section.
       Page 30, beginning on line 20, strike `` `Centers for 
     Medicare & Medicaid Services--Program Management' '' and 
     insert ``the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services--
     Program Management Account''.
       Page 31, line 11, after ``out'', insert ``subsection (c)(3) 
     for the purposes set forth in''.
       Page 32, strike lines 1 through 5 and insert the following:
       (4) Funds credited by postal service.--The United States 
     Postal Service shall deposit an amount equal to the sum of 
     the amounts appropriated under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) 
     into the Treasury as a miscellaneous receipt from the Postal 
     Service Fund in fiscal year 2022.
       Page 32, line 15, strike ``described in subsection 
     (c)(3)(B)'' and insert ``described in subsection (c)(3) for 
     the purpose set forth in subsection (c)(3)(B)''.
       Page 48, line 17, insert ``for each product'' after 
     ``performance''.
       Page 48, line 21, insert ``for each product'' after 
     ``compliance''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 912, the 
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney) and a Member 
opposed each will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 
such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this manager's amendment to 
H.R. 3076, which makes minor technical changes to the bill. We have 
already discussed this bill at length so I will be brief.
  The Postal Service is one of America's most vital and respected 
institutions. Every American benefits from the services it provides. 
This bill will dramatically improve the financial situation of the 
Postal Service and will allow it to continue providing its essential 
services for years to come. The technical changes made by the manager's 
amendment will help ensure that the bill is implemented swiftly and 
effectively.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment, 
but before that, I want to really give my heartfelt thanks to the 
Committee on Oversight and Reform, the staff, that made this happen, 
particularly Mark Stephenson and Ethan VanNess.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. 
Comer), my friend, the ranking member.
  Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the amendment.
  Madam Speaker, as we have worked together on the Postal Service 
Reform Act over the past year, Chairwoman Maloney and I strove to fully 
incorporate the legislative feedback we received from the relevant 
agencies. This manager's amendment contains necessary technical fixes 
to ensure the bill's requirements are efficiently and effectively 
implemented.
  For instance, it ensures that the U.S. Postal Service, and not the 
American taxpayer, fully cover the implementation costs of the Office 
of Personnel Management, Social Security Administration, and Centers 
for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
  Madam Speaker, I thank the chairwoman and the Committee on Oversight 
and Reform staff for working diligently with me to make sure this bill 
is done right.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I urge passage of 
this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Hayes). Pursuant to the rule, the 
previous question is ordered on the bill and on the amendment offered 
by the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney).
  The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from New 
York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney).
  The amendment was agreed to.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the engrossment and third 
reading of the bill.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was 
read the third time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on passage of the bill.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question 
are postponed.

                          ____________________