Government affairs

Both House and Senate leadership announced this week that they will not reconvene in Washington DC sooner than May 4, two weeks later than the previously scheduled date. Instead, both chambers remain adjourned as the vast majority of lawmakers are not in town, though they do hold what are known as ‘pro-forma’ sessions, so that some business may be conducted from afar such as the introduction of bills, but any votes held may only pass via ‘unanimous consent’ in such sessions.

During this time, talks and negotiations continue between Speaker Pelosi, Leaders McConnell, Schumer, and McCarthy and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin on an addendum to the third emergency legislative stimulus package and a new fourth stimulus package. NALC continues to urge Congress to provide financial support to the Postal Service and letter carriers in the next emergency stimulus package.

NALC activity

In addition to the continued behind-the-scenes talks between NALC and Congressional leadership on financial support for USPS and the postal workforce, NALC is also calling on letter carriers to reach out to their Representatives and Senators. Use this link to head over to our Legislative Action Center to contact your lawmakers.

Congressional activity

On Friday, Sen. Kamala Harris introduced the VoteSafe Act of 2020, which would provide $5 billion in grants for states to improve the safety of in-person voting and expand both early voting and vote-by-mail during the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to requiring states to permit no-excuse mail-in absentee voting and maintain an early voting period of at least 20 days, among other provisions. Read more here.

Following passage of the third emergency stimulus package, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R. 748), at the end of last month, funds began to be distributed out from the appropriate federal agencies and departments including the Small Business Administration (SBA), which received $349 billion in pandemic relief for the Paycheck Protection Program. After an initial hurdle, the SBA was able to approve all the applications and guarantee all the loans to the small businesses who applied for them in just two weeks.

Leader McConnell stated another $250 billion will be necessary and sought to approve the funding as a standalone Interim Emergency Coronavirus Relief bill despite requests from Leader Schumer and Speaker Pelosi that changes be made to the program to direct more funds to needy communities and that he also include $100 billion more for hospitals and $150 billion to shore up state and local budgets. McConnell refused and the standalone bill failed to advance. Talks between Congressional leaders continue on this package and on a fourth package, expected to be released sometime next week after statements to that point from Leader Schumer were made following discussions with Secretary Mnuchin. The bill may include the changes and additional funding Congressional Democrats are pushing for as well as funds for other priorities.

It is up to all of us to ensure the Postal Service is included in the next round of relief funding. Use this link to head over to our Legislative Action Center to contact your lawmakers.

2020 election activity

2020 primaries are being delayed and in-person voting is being cancelled due to the Covid-19 crisis. Many states are opting to expand absentee and vote-at-home measures so voters and poll workers may remain safe during this election season.

To find the most accurate and up to date information specific to your state elections, you can visit your state’s secretary of state webpage (ex: Ohio)and look for “elections” or if your state does not have a secretary of state, search for the office of elections (example: Hawaii). You can also visit the National Conference of State Legislatures webpage on state primary dates, which is tracking all date changes.

NALC Priority Bills/Resolutions

H.R. 2382/S. 2965 – USPS Fairness Act
Status: Passed House of Representatives, introduced in Senate by Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT)
Co-sponsors: 5 Senate (3 Democrats – 2 Republicans)
House vote: 309 Yea (222 Democrats – 87 Republicans) – 106 Nays (105 Republicans – 1 Independent)

To repeal the requirement that the United States Postal Service prepay future retirement benefits.

House Resolution 23 (H. Res. 23) – Door Delivery
Status: Introduced by Reps. Susan Davis (D-CA) and Peter King (R-NY)
Co-sponsors: 261 (207 Democrats – 54 Republicans)

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States Postal Service should take all appropriate measures to ensure the continuation of door delivery for all business and residential customers.

House Resolution 33 (H. Res. 33) – Anti-privatization
Status: Introduced by Reps. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) and Rodney Davis (R-IL)
Co-sponsors: 267 (226 Democrats – 41 Republicans)

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should take all appropriate measures to ensure that the United States Postal Service remains an independent establishment of the Federal Government and is not subject to privatization.

House Resolution 54 (H. Res. 54) – Six-day Delivery
Status: Introduced by Reps. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Sam Graves (R-MO)
Co-sponsors: 292 (217 Democrats – 75 Republicans)

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States Postal Service should take all appropriate measures to ensure the continuation of its six-day mail delivery service.

House Resolution 60 (H. Res. 60) – Service Standards
Status: Introduced by Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH)
Co-sponsors: 206 (180 Democrats – 26 Republicans)

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States Postal Service should take all appropriate measures to restore service standards in effect as of July 1, 2012.

Senate Resolution 99 (S. Res. 99) – Anti-privatization
Status: Introduced by Sens. Gary Peters and Jerry Moran (R-KS)
Co-sponsors: 54 (44 Democrats – 8 Republicans – 2 Independents)

Expressing the sense of the Senate that Congress should take all appropriate measures to ensure that the United States Postal Service remains an independent establishment of the Federal Government and is not subject to privatization in whole or in part.

H.R. 2478 – Fed Retirement Fairness Act
Status: Introduced by Reps. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Tom Cole (R-OK)
Co-sponsors: 57 (44 Democrats – 13 Republicans)

To provide certain federal employees the opportunity to make catch-up retirement contributions for time spent as temporary employees after Dec. 31, 1988, thus making such time creditable service under the Federal Employees Retirement System. Now applies to temporary postal employees, such as letter carriers who spent time as casuals, TEs, and CCAs.

H.R. 2474/S. 1306 – PRO Act
Status: Passed House of Representatives, introduced in Senate by Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
Co-sponsors: Senate 40 (39 Democrat, 1 Independent, 0 Republican)
House vote: 224 Yea (219 Democrats – 5 Republicans) – 194 Nays (186 Republicans – 1 Independent)

To increase protections for workers’ right to organize and bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions.