[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 115 (Thursday, July 11, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S5087]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 2874. Mr. PETERS (for himself, Ms. Collins, and Ms. Rosen)
submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S.
4638, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2025 for military
activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and
for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe
military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the appropriate place, insert the following:
SEC. [__]. UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE STOP AND STUDY.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Postal
Regulatory Commission.
(2) Network changes.--The term ``network changes''--
(A) means permanent changes to the facilities or network of
the Postal Service, including--
(i) consolidation or partial consolidation of processing or
logistics facilities;
(ii) aggregation or consolidation of processing,
distribution, or delivery operations;
(iii) conversions or construction of facilities in order to
centralize operations; or
(iv) the systematic reduction of transportation trips
between sorting facilities and delivery units; and
(B) does not include temporary operational changes that are
necessary to maintain reliable service between facilities or
to alleviate congestion that has caused delays or disruption
of service.
(3) Postal service.--The term ``Postal Service'' means the
United States Postal Service.
(b) Advisory Opinion on Network Changes.--
(1) Advisory opinion.--
(A) Proposal.--Prior to implementing any network changes,
the Postal Service shall submit to the Commission a
comprehensive proposal with respect to all such network
changes using the procedures under section 3661(b) of title
39, United States Code.
(B) Opinion.--Not later than 180 days after the submission
of a comprehensive proposal under subparagraph (A), the
Commission shall issue an opinion on the comprehensive
proposal using the procedures under section 3661(c) of title
39, United States Code.
(C) Reversal.--An opinion under subparagraph (B) shall also
address the extent to which reversal of any network changes
implemented on or after January 1, 2023, is advisable.
(D) Access.--The Postal Service shall provide the
Commission any information and records the Commission deems
necessary to issue an opinion under subparagraph (B),
including any access to Postal Service facilities.
(2) Pause.--The Postal Service shall not implement any
proposed network changes until--
(A) the Commission issues an opinion on the proposed
network changes under paragraph (1)(B); and
(B) the Postal Service--
(i) considers the opinion; and
(ii) submits to Congress and the Commission a response to
the opinion that--
(I) addresses the opinion and any recommendations therein;
and
(II) explains the decision of the Postal Service to
implement or not implement each recommendation contained in
the opinion.
(3) Prohibition.--The Postal Service shall not implement
any network changes if the opinion under paragraph (1)(B)
finds that such changes are likely to have a negative impact
on service if implemented.
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