LEGISLATIVE Issues and Fact Sheets

Maintaining 6-Day Mail Delivery

• The NRLCA supports the continuation of 6-day mail delivery in order to ensure universal service for American businesses and households.
• Please co-sponsor H.Res 173, introduced by Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO).
• H. Res 173 Co-Sponsors
• FACT SHEET - 111th Congress

USPS OIG Report on Overfunding of CSRS Pension Obligation

• The Inspector General for the Postal Service has released a report showing a $75 billion overpayment into a trust fund held for CSRS Employee Pensions. This overpayment has weakened the Postal Service's financial standing and if refunded, could solve many of the problems the USPS is facing today.
• The NRLCA supports shifting the overpayments back to the USPS to use for pre-funding Retiree Health Benefits and paying off debt owed to the U.S. Treasury.
• USPS OIG Report on CSRS Pension Obligation

USPS Realignment of Retiree Health Benefit Payments

• The NRLCA supports a readjustment of mandated payments to the retiree health benefits fund over the next 8 years. This will serve as a first step towards assisting the USPS with payments that have become unrealistic due to the recent drop in revenues.

• H.R. 22 (PASSED)

• H.R. 22 Co-Sponsors
• On January 30, 2009, six of the seven Postal Unions and Management Associations addressed a letter to House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Edolphus Towns (D-NY), which can be read here.
• On 9/15/09, the House voted to pass an amended (1-year fix) of H.R. 22. Roll Call Vote 701
• H.R. 22 passed the House of Representatives and Senate and was signed into law on September 30, 2009.

• S. 1507

• On July 23, 2009, Senator Carper Introduced S. 1507, as an alternative to H.R. 22.
• The Congressional Budget Office released a cost-estimate for S. 1507 on September 14, 2009.

• FACT SHEET - 111th Congress

Contract Delivery Services (CDS)

• The NRLCA opposes CDS and believes that Congress should help preserve the Security, Sanctity, and Service of the US Postal Service.
• In February 2008, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) released a report on CDS.
• The Government Accountibility Office (GAO) released a report on July 24, 2008, entitled "U.S. Postal Service: Data Needed to Assess the Effectiveness of Outsourcing". The report can be found here.
• FACT SHEET

FERS Sick Leave (PASSED)

• The NRLCA supports legislation that would allow FERS employees to add unused sick leave to their retirement annuity. This bill was signed into law during the 111th Congress and will be implemented over the coming years.
• H.R. 958 Co-Sponsors.
• Read the February 10, 2009 press release here.
• In March 2008, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) released a report on sick leave which found decreased productivity and higher costs with the 'use-it or lose-it' system.
• FACT SHEET - 111th Congress

Premium Conversion

• NRLCA believes that it is essential for federal and postal retirees to be allowed to use their pre-tax dollars to pay for health premiums, especially with the increasingly high cost of insurance and prescription drugs.
• We urge members of the Senate to co-sponsor S. 491 and members of the House to co-sponsor H.R. 1203.
• S. 491 Co-Sponsors; H.R. 1203 Co-Sponsors.
• FACT SHEET - 111th Congress

GPO/WEP

• The NRLCA supports the repeal of GPO and WEP through H.R. 235 and S. 484 and urge all members of the House and Senate to co-sponsor this important legislation in the 111th Congress.
• FACT SHEET

Do Not Mail

• Throughout the country, State Legislatures have started introducing 'Do Not Mail' bills, which act as a registry to opt out of bulk mail. The NRLCA opposes all such legislation, as it damages the postal economy and jobs of our members. The NRLCA has joined the 'Mail Moves America' coalition to oppose such legislation
• FACT SHEET

Vote by Mail

• The NRLCA supports a voting method that puts the election ballots into the hands of the public's most trusted government agency, the USPS. Giving Americans the option to vote-by-mail allows citizens the convenience of voting from home, giving them time to research, consider, and study the candidates to make an educated decision.
• NRLCA urges Senators and Representatives  to co-sponsor legislation when introduced in the 111th Congress.
• On April 2, 2008, during the 110th Congress, Vote by Mail was reported to the House on a voice vote from the House Administration Committee. For more information, please refer to the press release.
• FACT SHEET

Medicare Part D

• The NRLCA urges all Members of Congress to allow the Postal Service to receive the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug subsidy for its retired employees.
• >FACT SHEET (coming soon)

NRLCA Magazine

Since its inception in 1903, The National Rural Letter Carrier magazine has been providing timely information to members of the NRLCA. The magazine is published on a monthly basis and is mailed to all members as a benefit of union membership... read more