NE Wyoming News

Representatives Harriet Hageman and Emanuel Cleaver have introduced the Postal Processing Protection Act, a bill aimed at ensuring that the United States Postal Service (USPS) adheres to specific standards when closing or consolidating sorting, distribution, or processing facilities. The proposed legislation would align these procedures with those already in place for storefront post offices. Senators Mike Rounds and Dick Durbin are leading the Senate version of this bill.

The bill mandates that USPS notify affected communities and provide reasons for any closures or consolidations. A 60-day waiting period after notification is required before proceeding, allowing time for appeals to be made to the Postal Regulatory Commission, which has up to 120 days to review such appeals.

"Without these protections, USPS can arbitrarily close or consolidate processing and distribution centers, leaving rural communities—like so many in Wyoming—dependent on facilities in distant cities outside their state,” said Congresswoman Hageman. “Such closures threaten the timely and secure delivery of mail, including election mail and life-saving medications, and disrupt local jobs.”

Congressman Cleaver added: “The Postal Processing Protection Act stands as a crucial safeguard, ensuring that mail processing centers remain to serve our communities nationwide. By preserving these centers and examining the consequences of their potential closures, we uphold the continuity of essential services, mitigate the far-reaching consequences of their elimination, and alleviate the burden on an already strained postal service. It’s a measure that not only preserves efficiency but also reinforces the interconnectedness of each and every community throughout the country. I am proud to introduce the bipartisan Postal Processing Protection Act alongside Congresswoman Hageman and look forward to working together to avoid fractures in the postal service delivery network by first studying the effects of closing or consolidating these processing and shipping facilities.”