The Arizona Correspondence Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the art of letter writing, has voiced its support for the USPS SERVES US Act. The USPS SERVES US Act, a new bill aimed at restoring financial stability and improving the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) service to the American people. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Jake LaTurner (R-Kan.), empowers the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to correct USPS policies that have led to fiscal challenges and declining service quality. These reforms are essential to preserving affordable and reliable mail services for individuals, small businesses, and nonprofit mailers.
The USPS SERVES US Act: A Solution to Postal Service Challenges
The USPS SERVES US Act, short for “USPS Services Enhancement and Regulatory Viability Expansion and Sustainability for the U.S. Act,” is intended to counter the negative effects of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s Delivering for America Plan (DFA). The DFA, launched in 2021, has led to frequent postage hikes, slowed mail delivery, and worsened service reliability—all while the USPS has fallen further into debt.
Since the DFA was introduced, the USPS has experienced six significant postage hikes, one every six months, outpacing inflation. This has harmed consumers, small businesses, nonprofits, newspapers, and other entities that rely on affordable and efficient mail service.
Rep. LaTurner highlighted the severity of the situation: “With each price hike, demand for mail declines, threatening access to our postal network while USPS slips further into financial ruin.” He emphasized that USPS lost $6.5 billion last year, and losses are projected to grow by an additional $8 billion this year alone.
The USPS SERVES US Act seeks to put an end to this downward spiral by limiting the frequency of postage rate increases and holding the USPS accountable for its service performance.
Key Reforms in the USPS SERVES US Act
The legislation proposes several key reforms to safeguard the USPS and its customers, including:
- Limiting rate hikes to once per year, ensuring postage remains affordable for all.
- Empowering the PRC to enforce service performance standards and efficiency improvements.
- Establishing a volume-encouraging objective, which incentivizes USPS to increase mail volume rather than rely on postage hikes.
- Creating an Office of Customer Advocate, giving customers a voice in USPS decisions.
- Allowing the USPS to invest retirement funds in private index funds for better financial management.
These reforms aim to secure the future of the USPS, which has served the American public since 1775.
Why the USPS SERVES US Act Matters
At a time when private carriers like Amazon, UPS, and FedEx dominate the package delivery space, the USPS continues to play a vital role in delivering mail to every address in America. Keep US Posted Executive Director Kevin Yoder noted that without legislative action, the price of a stamp could soar to $1.19 by 2030, making mail service inaccessible to many.
Yoder also stressed that the USPS SERVES US Act offers a sustainable alternative to a taxpayer bailout, ensuring the USPS remains a public service that meets the needs of both individuals and businesses.
What’s Next for the USPS?
The passage of the USPS SERVES US Act is critical to the future of the U.S. Postal Service. With the support of Keep US Posted and a growing coalition of stakeholders, the push to reform USPS policy and improve service delivery is gaining momentum. For consumers, small businesses, and nonprofits who rely on affordable mail services, this legislation offers a lifeline to the future of the USPS.
The USPS SERVES US Act, introduced by Rep. Jake LaTurner (R-Kan.), aims to restore fiscal stability to the USPS by limiting rate hikes and holding the postal service accountable for service efficiency. The Arizona Correspondence Society recognizes the critical role the USPS plays in connecting communities and supports the Act’s mission to safeguard the future of traditional mail services, which are central to the society’s letter-writing initiatives.
This legislation has garnered support from a wide array of stakeholders, reflecting its broad impact on nonprofit organizations and individuals alike.
You can access detailed information about the USPS SERVES US Act, introduced by Congressman Jake LaTurner, through the official record on Congress.gov. The legislation aims to stabilize the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) by empowering the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to enforce efficiency and service standards while limiting rate hikes and addressing the negative impact of the “Delivering for America Plan” initiated by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.
For a direct link to the bill and its status, you can visit the Congress.gov page here (Congress.gov | Library of Congress).
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