Government affairs

NALC President Brian L. Renfroe released the following statement regarding President-elect Donald Trump’s intent to nominate Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR) to serve as secretary of the Department of Labor (DOL).

Today, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC) held a hearing on USPS Board of Governors (BOG) nominations. 

NALC President Brian L. Renfroe released the following statement regarding the Social Security Fairness Act.

“This is a major win for letter carriers and other federal annuitants who have been victimized by the WEP and GPO for decades,” NALC President Brian L. Renfroe said.

Contact your representative through NALC’s Legislative Action Center, or call (202) 224-3121.

Today, the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government held an oversight hearing on the Postal Service’s role and readiness in the upcoming election.

Today, the discharge petition for the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) reached 218 signers, an important step to bring the legislation to the House floor for a vote.

NALC members are encouraged to join the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) for their nationwide day of action on Oct. 1.

Today, Sen. Merkley (D-OR) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced the USPS Shipping Equity Act (S.5069). 

On Sept. 9, President Biden announced his intent to nominate Gordon Hartogensis to serve on the United States Postal Service Board of Governors (BOG).

Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Rep. Garrett Graves (R-LA) are leading a discharge petition on the Social Security Fairness Act (H. R. 82). 

On July 25, President Biden nominated Val Demings and William Zollars to serve on the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors (BOG).

On July 5, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce reported the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act (H.R. 618). This action follows the June 13 committee markup of the bill.

Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) led the Senate bill with 30 original co-sponsors, and Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA) introduced the House version with 87 original co-sponsors.

On May 16, Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced the Protect Our Letter Carriers Act (H.R. 7629/S. 4356). 

On April 16, the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security held a hearing on the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).

On April 16, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a hearing on oversight of the Postal Service.

On March 13, the Protect Our Letter Carriers Act (POLCA) (H.R. 7629) was introduced in the House by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Greg Landsman (D-OH). 

On Feb. 29, President Biden announced his intent to nominate Marty Walsh to serve on the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors (BOG).

In a letter to the Senate HELP Committee, NALC urges committee members to advance the nomination of Acting Secretary Su to serve as the next labor secretary. 

Join us in urging the Biden Administration to act quickly to remedy this unfair misallocation.

On Feb. 1, NALC President Brian L. Renfroe sent a letter to President Biden again requesting executive action to direct the Office of Personnel Management to accurately value the Postal Service’s pension assets and liabilities.

Join NALC in a collective week of action asking the House Ways & Means Committee to schedule a markup on the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82).

For some 52 years, a glaring misallocation of pension liabilities has persisted, resulting in about $90 billion in unjust expenses to USPS, harming postal employees and postage ratepayers.  

On Thursday, the House adjourned its last legislative session of the year.

On Nov. 21, the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security held a hearing on the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82). 

Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced the Equal COLA Act (S. 3194).

Today, Reps. Derek Kilmer (D-WA), David Valadao (R-CA), Don Bacon (R-NE) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA) introduced the Federal Retirement Fairness Act (H.R. 5995).

Today, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) voted 10-5 to advance the nomination of Thomas Day to serve on the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). 

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC) held a hearing to consider the nomination of Thomas Day to serve on the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), an independent agency that exercises regulatory oversight over the Postal Service.

Today, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) voted 12-0 to advance the renomination of Robert Taub to serve on the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC).

Today, President Biden announced his intent to nominate Thomas Day to serve as a commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC).

On Sept. 7, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC) held a hearing to renominate Robert G. Taub to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC).

If you are in the DMV area, please mark your calendar for an event to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. in Washington, DC.

To file a claim or for more information, please visit va.gov/pact or call 1-800-MY VA 411.

Congress has headed home for the August recess and will return after Labor Day, with the Senate scheduled to return on Sept. 5 followed by the House’s return on Sept. 12.

In an 11-10 party-line vote, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions advanced the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO) Act of 2023 (S. 567). 

A deal to avert a default on the nation’s debt was agreed upon and signed into law just in time for the nation to avoid default on June 5.

Today, Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) and seven other cosponsors reintroduced the USPS Shipping Equity Act (H.R. 3721). 

On May 17, the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability’s (COA) Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce held a hearing titled “Tracking the Postal Service: An Update on the Delivering for America Plan” to seek updates from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy regarding implementation of the 10-year Delivering for American Plan, including the Postal Service Reform Act (PSRA) — a cornerstone of the plan.

On May 9, Reps. David Joyce (R-OH) and Sanford Bishop (D-GA) reintroduced a door delivery resolution (H. Res. 376), which calls on Congress to take all appropriate measures to ensure the continuation of door delivery for all business and residential customers.

On Feb. 7, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) reintroduced the Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act (H.R. 856/S. 274). 

The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability held a hearing to examine the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) effectiveness. 

Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) reintroduced the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act (S. 597) in the Senate.

On March 9, the Biden administration released its Fiscal Year 2024 (FY 24) budget proposal.

The Vote at Home Act of 2023 (H.R.1439/S.700) was reintroduced in the House by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and in the Senate by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR). 

Today, President Biden nominated Julie Su to serve as Secretary of the Department of Labor. 

Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) reintroduced the Sunshine Protection Act of 2023 (H.R. 1279/S. 582) on March 1.

The Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act (H.R. 20/S. 567) was reintroduced in Congress on Feb. 28. 

“NALC applauds President Biden for recognizing that unions are the strength of the American workforce."

Reps. Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Joe Courtney (D-CT), and Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act (H.R. 618/S. 131).

The House and Senate are finalizing committee assignments for the 118^th Congress. 

Reps. Garrett Graves (R-LA) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) reintroduced the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R. 82).

On Jan 3, the 118th Congress convened. While senators were sworn in that day, members of the House did not take their oaths of office until the early morning hours of Jan. 7. 

On Jan. 3, President Biden sent dozens of nominations to Senate, including the renomination of Robert Taub to serve as a commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC).

The House and Senate released calendars for the first session of the 118^th Congress.

Yesterday, in a 219-201 vote, the House passed the VA Employee Fairness Act (H.R. 1948).

Please contact your representative and ask them to include the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) in the year-end omnibus package.

NALC is encouraging the House and Senate to include increased funding for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in the end-of-year appropriations package.

Republicans and Democrats have elected their party’s leaders for the new Congress that will convene next month.

Today, in a voice vote, the House Committee on Ways and Means approved the Social Security Fairness Act of 2021 (H.R. 82).

Today, in a 221-203 vote, the House of Representatives passed the Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act of 2021 (H.R. 2988).

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted 397-29 to suspend the rules to pass several bills, including five bills that support veterans. 

In advance of the anticipated vote on H.R. 82, NALC wants to hear from you.

In a party-line vote of 51-50, with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Kamala Harris, the Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 (H.R. 5376) on Sunday.

After months of stalled negotiations among Democratic Senators, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced a deal on July 27 on a comprehensive energy, climate, healthcare and tax package.

The Senate voted 86-11 on the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 (H.R. 3967), historic legislation that would ensure veterans exposed to toxic exposure fumes from burn pits have access to care and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and 11 bipartisan cosponsors introduced the Enhanced Election Security and Protection Act (S. 4574), which would increase penalties for crimes against election workers and create the Postal Service Election Improvement Act.

On Tuesday, July 19, NALC and other postal stakeholders are hosting a day of action urging members of Congress to cosponsor the USPS Shipping Equity Act (H.R. 3287/S. 1663).

On June 24, the House Committee on Appropriations voted 31-22 to advance the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) appropriations bill.

This week, NALC sent a letter to Congress cosigned by other postal unions and alcohol distributing unions, requesting members of Congress cosponsor H.R. 3287/S. 1663.

On June 16, in an 84-14 vote, the Senate passed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 (H.R. 3967).

The Senate approved by a voice vote the nominations of Dan Tangherlini and Derek Kan to serve on the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors (BOG).

Read NALC’s fact sheet to learn more about H.R. 4268.

In a 53-47 vote, the Senate confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. 

President Biden signed the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 (H.R. 3076) into law.

A coalition of labor leaders released the following statement today ahead of the Senate’s vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court.

“America’s letter carriers applaud the 79 members of the U.S. Senate who voted to pass the Postal Reform Act last night, following its adoption by the House of Representatives with a massive bipartisan majority in February."

Today, in a 79-19 vote, the Senate passed the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 (H.R. 3076). 

This week, the Senate began consideration of the Postal Service Reform Act (H.R. 3076).

Call 844-959-1425 and ask your senators to vote "YES" on H.R. 3076.

On Feb. 9, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) voted 8-6 and the Senate Budget Committee voted 15-6 to advance the nominations of Shalanda Young and Nani Coloretti to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Today, in a 342-92 vote the House of Representatives passed the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 (H.R. 3076).

This updated explanation of the health care provisions of H.R. 3076 reflects modest changes made to the original bill introduced in 2021.

On Feb. 7, the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment released a report that includes more than 60 recommendations to promote workers’ rights.

The Postal Service Reform Act (H.R. 3076) is scheduled for a House vote next week.

On Jan. 12, the Masks for All Act of 2022 (H.R. 6385/S. 3486), which would provide, manufacture and distribute high-quality N95 masks for every individual in the United States, was introduced in Congress.

In early January, the Biden Administration announced that it would partner with the Postal Service to mail free, at-home rapid Covid-19 tests to Americans.

On Jan. 12, the Postal Service Board of Governors (BOG) unanimously selected Roman Martinez, a Republican, to serve as chairman and Anton Hajjar, a Democrat, as vice chairman.

NALC, the AFL-CIO and local affiliates are contacting senators to ask them to sideline the filibuster in order to protect voting rights.

On Jan. 13, the Supreme Court blocked the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) on COVID-19 vaccine and testing.

The Senate unanimously confirmed Michael Kubayanda to serve as a Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission.

Thursday night, Congress passed a continuing resolution that will fund the government until Feb. 18.

Today, President Biden nominated Dan Tangherlini and Derek Kan to serve on the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors (BOG).

On Friday, the House passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684), a $1.2 trillion bill that invests in roads, bridges, airports, transit, rail, broadband, electric charging stations, power grid modernization and clean drinking water.

House Democratic Leadership released the new framework for the Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376), a sweeping social spending and tax package.

House members voted 219-206 on a rule (H. Res. 716) that cleared a bill that passed in the Senate last week (S. 1301) to raise the debt limit with an extension that expires on Dec. 3.

President Biden announced his intent to renominate Michael Kubayanda to serve as a Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). 

The House and the Senate passed a continuing resolution yesterday to fund the government until December 3.

NALC strongly supports the $7 billion in federal funding for the electrification of the Postal Service vehicle fleet that is included in the reconciliation package.

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the Freedom to Vote Act (S. 2747), a bill to expand voting rights and reduce the influence of big money in politics.

On Sept. 9, President Biden issued two executive orders regarding COVID-19 vaccines.

Today, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform (COR) held a markup to consider their committee’s allocations for the recently passed Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 (S. Con. Res. 14). 

In a party-line vote of 220-212, the House passed the budget resolution yesterday.

If you are in the DMV area, you are invited to attend the Fighting for our Vote Rally this Saturday, August 21 from 1-4 p.m. in Lincoln Park in Washington, DC.

Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL) introduced the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 4) today.

In a party-line vote of 50-49, the Senate passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget resolution.

NALC members are encouraged to participate in AFL-CIO’s week of action for the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act on July 17-25.

The first payments of the newly expanded Child Tax Credit will be distributed to millions of American families beginning on July 15.

Reps. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Tom Cole (R-OK) reintroduced the Federal Retirement Fairness Act (H.R. 4268) today.

The Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill advanced out of the House Committee on Appropriations today with a vote of 33-24 after a committee markup.

The House Committee on Oversight and Reform held a hearing on the Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act (H.R. 564).

In comments filed with the Postal Service on June 22 as part of the Postal Regulatory Commission’s review of the USPS’s proposed changes in service standards for First Class Mail and Periodicals, NALC argued against slowing the delivery of such mail.

The Senate approved the nomination of Kiran Ahuja to serve as the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).