MARKUP OF S. 1789: quicknote

Summary of NOTES FROM THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
MARKUP OF S. 1789 click here to see expanded notes

Comments (take them or leave them)

• …rejected the idea that we should put in place an exigent increase of postal prices.
• …want to incentivize people to retire, not lay people off or abrogate labor agreements.
• …making it possible for the USPS to move to curbside delivery.
• …keep, if possible, Saturday delivery.

Amendments adopted:

Motion to require congressional oversight of postal contracts.

Amendment: On the transparency of contracts between the USPS and contractors. I was told I can't look at the contracts the USPS has with UPS and Fedex. The only person who can see the contracts is the House subcommittee chairman with postal oversight responsibility. This is offensive to the Senate. This amendment very simply that UPS cannot enter into a contract with the USPS without Senate oversight.

+++The Levin amendment to require congressional oversight of all postal contracts was adopted.

Pryor: Motion to require the Postal Service to explain its rationale for not adhering to a PRC advisory opinion.

+++The Pryor amendment to require the Postal Service to explain its rationale for not adhering to a PRC advisory opinion was adopted.

Moran: Motion to suspend the closing of post offices until the establishment of retail service standards is established.

+++The Moran-Tester-Collins-Pryor-Begich-McCaskill amendment to suspend the closing of post offices until the establishment of retail service standards is adopted (i.e., including consideration of alternative service provisions).

Akaka: Motion to strike section 103 (relating to Medicare coverage for Postal Service Medicare eligible annuitants).

+++The Akaka motion to strike section 103 (relating to Medicare coverage for Postal Service Medicare eligible annuitants) was adopted.

Amendments NOT Adopted

McCain: Motion to authorize the USPS to move to five-day delivery.

- - - The McCain amendment to permit five-day delivery was not adopted.

Akaka: Motion to strike provisions regarding FECA (workers compensation)

- - -The Akaka amendment to strike provisions regarding FECA (workers compensation) was not adopted.

Paul: Motion to end the mailbox monopoly and allow customers to choose who can deposit mail. The mail box is private property and the owner decides how is should be used.

- - - The Paul amendment to affirm private property rights over the mailbox was defeated.

Amendments Withdrawn (may be re-introduced):

Johnson: Motion to strike additional service credits.

• This amendment would remove the one-year (CSRS) and two-year (FERS) retirement incentive credits. We're spending a retirement surplus that would be a good buffer. This is an unprecedented pay-out.
• The limit ought to be capped at $25,000 whether you take a pay-out or credit.

(Motion withdrawn by the sponsor(Johnson?) for later possible consideration.)

Begich: Motion to clarify the meaning of comparability in the law for arbitration.

(Motion withdrawn by the sponsor for later possible consideration.)

Begich: Motion to state that in Title 39 there should be no limits on the factors to be considered in arbitration.

(Motion withdrawn by the sponsor for later possible consideration.) 

from postcom.org

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