<!Congress' of tbe Wniteb ~tates'

J!}ouge of l\epregentatibeg.a5~ington, mctt 20515

May 9, 2012

The Honorable Patrick R. DonahoePostmaster General475 L'Enfant Plaza SWWashington, D.C. 20260

Dear Mr. Donahoe:

We write to urge you to extend the May 15 moratorium on post office and mail processingfacility closures until the Congress has completed action on postal reform legislation, including any actionthat would result in cuts to rural postal services such as cutting back hours at rural facilities. The recentSenate passage of the 21st Century Postal Service Act of2012 (S. 1789) is evidence that Congress ismoving toward putting the United States Postal Service (USPS) on a path to sustainability.

We understand that the USPS cannot sustain itself under its current system, and we agree it is upto Congress to act. There are, however, a number of cost saving provisions in the Senate bill that requireconsideration, including access to $11 billion that USPS overpaid into federal retirement accounts. Inaddition, the bill would reduce the amount of money that USPS has to prefund for retiree health benefitsby amortizing the costs over 40 years and re-calculating those costs more appropriately. Finally, the billwould allow the postal service to provide additional services, creating more opportunity for additionalrevenue. Without an extension of the May 15 moratorium, Congress will not be given the opportunity tofully consider these cost-saving provisions.

Furthenncre, we also urge you to recognize the disastrous impact that the closings of Area MailProcessing Centers and other facilities across the country would have on local and nationalunemployment. The USPS is a major employer around the country and employs over 500,000 workers.With an unacceptably high unemployment rate, it would be particularly inopportune for the USPS to closefacilities.

Again, we urge you to extend the May 15 moratorium to allow Congress time to finalizecomprehensive postal reform legislation that would take meaningful steps to create a financially soundfuture for the USPS, while leaving intact the important services Americans rely on and expect. It iscritically important the postal service not preempt Congressional action by unilaterally progressing withelimination of overnight delivery, allowing for major shutdowns across the country of mail processingfacilities.

Thank you for your consideration of this critical issue. We look forward to continuing our workto create a more stable fiscal future for the USPS while also upholding this essential service for ourcommunities, state, and country.

Sincerely,

Zosa.. 9~jaAM.d'Rosa DeLauroMember of Congress

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Dan BorenMember of Congress

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Charles GoMember of Congress

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Karen BassMember of Congress

Gene GreenMember Congress

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Frederica WilsonMember of Congress

Jesse Jackson, Jr.Member of Congress

Dennis· ucinichMember of Congress

Rick LarsenMember of Congress

Michael Honda John YMember f Congress I Member

Terri SewellMember of Congress

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Bennie ThompsonMember of Congress