Senators request emergency funding for postal service in next coronavirus bill

A bipartisan group of senators is requesting emergency funding for the United States Postal Service (USPS) in the next coronavirus stimulus bill. 

In a letter, Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Christopher Coons (D-Del.) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) asked party leaders to include direct aid, loan programs and safety measures for USPS workers in the next stimulus package. 

“As you develop additional coronavirus response legislation, we ask that you include significant emergency appropriations to help the USPS survive this crisis, as well as a mechanism to pay down the agency’s current debt obligations,” the lawmakers wrote to party leaders. 

President Trump, who has long been critical of the management of USPS and called for its privatization, threatened to veto a $10 billion loan to the Postal Service — funds approved by Congress last month — unless it substantially raises shipping prices. 

Postmaster General Megan Brennan told the House Oversight and Reform Committee last month that USPS is poised to lose $13 billion from the COVID-19 pandemic and an additional $54.3 billion in additional losses over the next decade. In the meeting, Brennan requested that the Treasury Department give the Postal Service $25 billion in “unrestricted borrowing authority.”

“Without immediate relief, the USPS may have to limit or cease operations, which would cause significant harm to Americans who rely on the agency for delivery of medicines, distribution of safety-net benefits, and many other critical services,” the lawmakers wrote. “At this important moment, we ask that you keep in mind the critical importance of the United States Postal Service and the well-being of millions of Americans who rely on it.”

A North Carolina businessman and major donor to Trump and the Republican National Committee this week was named the next postmaster general.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said the next aide package will also include funds to help states expand all-mail balloting — a provision designed to protect November’s elections while propping up the USPS.