Update: Congress to Force Postal Service to Continue Saturday Mail Delivery - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 02-06-2013, 01:23 PM

Link

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Congress foiled the financially beleaguered U.S. Postal Service's plan to end Saturday delivery of first-class mail on Thursday when it passed legislation requiring six-day delivery.

The Postal Service, which lost $16 billion last year, had said last month it wanted to switch to five-day mail service to save $2 billion annually.

No law requires the Postal Service to deliver mail six days a week, but Congress traditionally has included a provision in legislation to fund the federal government each year that has prevented the Postal Service from reducing delivery service.

The Postal Service had asked Congress not to include the provision this time around.

Despite the request, the House of Representatives on Thursday gave final approval to the legislation that maintains the provision, sending it to President Barack Obama to sign into law. The Senate approved the measure on Wednesday.

But some lawmakers who support the Postal Service's plan have said there may still be some room for it to change its delivery schedule. They point out that the language requiring six-day delivery is vague and does not prohibit altering what products it delivers on Saturdays.

The Postal Service has said that while it would not pick up or deliver first-class mail, magazines and direct mail, it would continue to deliver packages and pharmaceutical drugs on Saturdays.

Republican Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Representative Darrell Issa of California on Thursday jointly told the USPS Board of Governors to move forward with implementing the five-day delivery plan for mail.

"The Board of Governors has a fiduciary responsibility to utilize its legal authority to implement modified 6-day mail delivery as recently proposed," the lawmakers said in their letter to the USPS board.

The Postal Service, they said, is in such dire financial need that it must implement all measures to fix its troubles.

LEGALITY IN QUESTION

Several polls have shown a majority of the public supports ending six-day delivery of first-class mail.

The plan for a new delivery schedule, Postal Service spokesman David Partenheimer said, would respond to the customers' changing needs and help keep the Postal Service from becoming a burden to taxpayers.

Last week, Coburn introduced an amendment to the spending bill to strike down the requirement for six-day mail delivery and give the mail carrier more control over its operations. That amendment failed.

A number of lawmakers and trade groups said the plan to cut Saturday mail service is illegal because the Postal Service requires Congress' approval before it makes such a decision.

Democratic Representative Gerald Connolly of Virginia said in a letter to the Government Accountability Office on Thursday that the Postal Service is still bound by the six-day requirement.

"Unfortunately, the Postmaster General continues to stonewall members of Congress, withholding his legal justifications for eliminating Saturday delivery from postal customers and the American public," Connolly said.

The Postal Service, an independent agency not funded by taxpayers, has said it could need a taxpayer bailout of more than $47 billion by 2017 if Congress does not give it flexibility to change its business model.

It had planned to drop Saturday first-class mail delivery in August.

Ending six-day first-class mail delivery is part of the Postal Service's larger plan to cut costs and raise revenues.

The mail carrier loses $25 million each day, as more Americans communicate by email and the Internet, and as heavy mandatory payments into its future retirees' health fund take a toll.

The Postal Service could run out of money by October if Congress does not provide legislative relief, some experts have estimated.

"Once the delivery schedule language ... becomes law, we will discuss it with our Board of Governors to determine our next steps," Partenheimer said.

gilligan fanatic · 02-06-2013, 02:27 PM

It was bound to happen

retrofan05 · 02-06-2013, 05:52 PM

I am a Rural Carrier sub and thankfully, I will still have my job. Instead of working Saturdays, I'll be working every other Friday and some weekdays.

RoryGilmore · 02-06-2013, 06:09 PM

Not surprised at all

Janice · 02-06-2013, 06:39 PM

Our mailman is glad about this because he'll have Saturday and Sundays off. He'll be picking up another shift. This was bound to happen, with the internet taking over. All of my bills, except for one, are paid online. You can even send someone a greeting card online now, and they'll even mail it. It's the same price as buying a card and mailing it.

Personally, this doesn't bother me, but will take a while to get used to. Our mailboxes will be fuller on Mondays now.

Zoneboy · 02-06-2013, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RosewoodPrettyLiar

Not surprised at all

True, it's been talked about for years.

DVDLover · 02-06-2013, 08:33 PM

Not surprising either

Sometimes I forget that mail comes on Saturday so I say it is a good move

Coffeecup · 02-06-2013, 08:33 PM

I do use on line banking so no stamps or envelopes are used. I do wonder how over the years did the postal service get so deep in debt. When was the first year they were in the hole? Anyone know.

TVFactFan · 02-06-2013, 08:49 PM

5 Reasons why this happening

1. My Comcast bill is emailed to me

2. My T-Mobile bill is emailed to me

3. My Gas Bill is emailed to me

4. My Electric bill is emailed to me

5. I don't mail rent checks anymore, I pay online

Family Ties Forever! · 02-06-2013, 08:57 PM

I will have to get used to it. That's true that it's not a surprise that the post office has lost a lot of money and had to do something. On holidays that fall on Mondays that means there will be a three day period where there will be no regular mail.

TVFactFan · 02-06-2013, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Family Ties Forever!

I will have to get used to it. That's true that it's not a surprise that the post office has lost a lot of money and had to do something. On holidays that fall on Mondays that means there will be a three day period where there will be no regular mail.

I know, Thursday to Tuesday

DVDLover · 02-06-2013, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Family Ties Forever!

I will have to get used to it. That's true that it's not a surprise that the post office has lost a lot of money and had to do something. On holidays that fall on Mondays that means there will be a three day period where there will be no regular mail.

That is the bad thing, waiting for 3 days for mail

yankeesrj12 · 02-06-2013, 09:56 PM

If not for college pamphlets and junk mail, the Postal Service would have closed years ago.

Frump · 02-06-2013, 10:36 PM

Yep, and before long home mail-delivery will be stop altogether. Mark my words.

Next they will only want to deiver every other day Mon, Wed and Fri, that has alraedy been briefly talked about.

I'm actually surprised mail delivery has lasted as long as it has, in this day and age the idea of an actual PERSON bringing stuff to your house just seems so out-dated, and honestly I think that's why so many ppl voted that stopping mail delivery on Sat would be a good idea, this new generation hates anything from the past.

Someday not far off, if you want your mail you'll have to pick it up at the post office, like every thing else now days, you go to THEM. Same with doctors, etc....

And I can see reading these replies ppl think it's a good thing, b/c everyone is ONLINE nowdays. I think this is where our culture is SAD, everything is geared toward the majority and the BIG BOYS now days, no one cares about the little person, believe it or not, not EVERYONE does their whole life by the internet, some folks STILL depend on mail but I guess just to hell with them, huh?

retrofan05 · 02-07-2013, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coffeecup

I do use on line banking so no stamps or envelopes are used. I do wonder how over the years did the postal service get so deep in debt. When was the first year they were in the hole? Anyone know.

The majority of the Postal Service's debt problems are the result of a Congressional mandate. This article explains it pretty welll.

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate...ed-by-congress

02-06-2013, 01:23 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,483	Update: Congress to Force Postal Service to Continue Saturday Mail Delivery Link WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Congress foiled the financially beleaguered U.S. Postal Service's plan to end Saturday delivery of first-class mail on Thursday when it passed legislation requiring six-day delivery. The Postal Service, which lost $16 billion last year, had said last month it wanted to switch to five-day mail service to save $2 billion annually. No law requires the Postal Service to deliver mail six days a week, but Congress traditionally has included a provision in legislation to fund the federal government each year that has prevented the Postal Service from reducing delivery service. The Postal Service had asked Congress not to include the provision this time around. Despite the request, the House of Representatives on Thursday gave final approval to the legislation that maintains the provision, sending it to President Barack Obama to sign into law. The Senate approved the measure on Wednesday. But some lawmakers who support the Postal Service's plan have said there may still be some room for it to change its delivery schedule. They point out that the language requiring six-day delivery is vague and does not prohibit altering what products it delivers on Saturdays. The Postal Service has said that while it would not pick up or deliver first-class mail, magazines and direct mail, it would continue to deliver packages and pharmaceutical drugs on Saturdays. Republican Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Representative Darrell Issa of California on Thursday jointly told the USPS Board of Governors to move forward with implementing the five-day delivery plan for mail. "The Board of Governors has a fiduciary responsibility to utilize its legal authority to implement modified 6-day mail delivery as recently proposed," the lawmakers said in their letter to the USPS board. The Postal Service, they said, is in such dire financial need that it must implement all measures to fix its troubles. LEGALITY IN QUESTION Several polls have shown a majority of the public supports ending six-day delivery of first-class mail. The plan for a new delivery schedule, Postal Service spokesman David Partenheimer said, would respond to the customers' changing needs and help keep the Postal Service from becoming a burden to taxpayers. Last week, Coburn introduced an amendment to the spending bill to strike down the requirement for six-day mail delivery and give the mail carrier more control over its operations. That amendment failed. A number of lawmakers and trade groups said the plan to cut Saturday mail service is illegal because the Postal Service requires Congress' approval before it makes such a decision. Democratic Representative Gerald Connolly of Virginia said in a letter to the Government Accountability Office on Thursday that the Postal Service is still bound by the six-day requirement. "Unfortunately, the Postmaster General continues to stonewall members of Congress, withholding his legal justifications for eliminating Saturday delivery from postal customers and the American public," Connolly said. The Postal Service, an independent agency not funded by taxpayers, has said it could need a taxpayer bailout of more than $47 billion by 2017 if Congress does not give it flexibility to change its business model. It had planned to drop Saturday first-class mail delivery in August. Ending six-day first-class mail delivery is part of the Postal Service's larger plan to cut costs and raise revenues. The mail carrier loses $25 million each day, as more Americans communicate by email and the Internet, and as heavy mandatory payments into its future retirees' health fund take a toll. The Postal Service could run out of money by October if Congress does not provide legislative relief, some experts have estimated. "Once the delivery schedule language ... becomes law, we will discuss it with our Board of Governors to determine our next steps," Partenheimer said.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads. Last edited by Zoneboy; 03-21-2013 at 05:47 PM.

02-06-2013, 02:27 PM	#2
gilligan fanatic Born to Be Bad Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: down by the Lagoon Posts: 9,954	It was bound to happen
	__________________ Matt Filmaf ~ Twitter ~ Last.FM

02-06-2013, 06:09 PM	#4
RoryGilmore Always and Forever Forum Veteran Join Date: Oct 30, 2004 Location: Wherever he is, that's where I'll be Posts: 6,528	Not surprised at all
	__________________ I have died everyday, waiting for you Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years I'll love you for a thousand more And all along I believed, I would find you Time has brought your heart to me, I have loved you for a thousand years I'll love you for a thousand more

02-06-2013, 08:57 PM	#10
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	I will have to get used to it. That's true that it's not a surprise that the post office has lost a lot of money and had to do something. On holidays that fall on Mondays that means there will be a three day period where there will be no regular mail.
	__________________ Jenny

02-06-2013, 10:36 PM	#14
Frump Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 06, 2003 Location: McMinnville Posts: 1,206	Yep, and before long home mail-delivery will be stop altogether. Mark my words. Next they will only want to deiver every other day Mon, Wed and Fri, that has alraedy been briefly talked about. I'm actually surprised mail delivery has lasted as long as it has, in this day and age the idea of an actual PERSON bringing stuff to your house just seems so out-dated, and honestly I think that's why so many ppl voted that stopping mail delivery on Sat would be a good idea, this new generation hates anything from the past. Someday not far off, if you want your mail you'll have to pick it up at the post office, like every thing else now days, you go to THEM. Same with doctors, etc.... And I can see reading these replies ppl think it's a good thing, b/c everyone is ONLINE nowdays. I think this is where our culture is SAD, everything is geared toward the majority and the BIG BOYS now days, no one cares about the little person, believe it or not, not EVERYONE does their whole life by the internet, some folks STILL depend on mail but I guess just to hell with them, huh?
	__________________ Frump

02-06-2013, 05:52 PM	#3
retrofan05 Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 25, 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,111	I am a Rural Carrier sub and thankfully, I will still have my job. Instead of working Saturdays, I'll be working every other Friday and some weekdays.

02-06-2013, 06:39 PM	#5
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Our mailman is glad about this because he'll have Saturday and Sundays off. He'll be picking up another shift. This was bound to happen, with the internet taking over. All of my bills, except for one, are paid online. You can even send someone a greeting card online now, and they'll even mail it. It's the same price as buying a card and mailing it. Personally, this doesn't bother me, but will take a while to get used to. Our mailboxes will be fuller on Mondays now.

02-06-2013, 08:33 PM	#7
DVDLover Banned Banned!! Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 06, 2013 Posts: 363	Not surprising either Sometimes I forget that mail comes on Saturday so I say it is a good move

02-06-2013, 08:33 PM	#8
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,184	I do use on line banking so no stamps or envelopes are used. I do wonder how over the years did the postal service get so deep in debt. When was the first year they were in the hole? Anyone know.

02-06-2013, 08:49 PM	#9
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,131	5 Reasons why this happening 1. My Comcast bill is emailed to me 2. My T-Mobile bill is emailed to me 3. My Gas Bill is emailed to me 4. My Electric bill is emailed to me 5. I don't mail rent checks anymore, I pay online

02-06-2013, 09:56 PM	#13
yankeesrj12 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 09, 2008 Posts: 4,335	If not for college pamphlets and junk mail, the Postal Service would have closed years ago.