This resolution expresses the Senate's strong belief that Congress must act to keep the United States Postal Service an independent federal entity, explicitly opposing any privatization efforts.
Gary Peters
Senator
MI
This Senate resolution expresses the strong sense of Congress that the United States Postal Service must remain an independent federal establishment and should not be privatized. It emphasizes the USPS's vital constitutional role, its massive economic footprint supporting millions of jobs, and its essential function in providing universal service to every American address. The resolution warns that privatization would likely lead to higher costs and reduced service, particularly for rural communities.
Senate Resolution Pushes to Block USPS Privatization, Citing $1.9 Trillion Economic Impact
This resolution is the Senate throwing down a marker: Congress needs to keep the United States Postal Service (USPS) exactly where it is—an independent federal agency. This isn't a new law, but a formal statement of intent, arguing that selling off the USPS to private companies would be a bad idea, constitutionally, financially, and practically.
The Constitutional Mail Carrier
First things first, the resolution reminds everyone that the USPS isn't just some government program; it’s mandated by the Constitution itself, specifically Article I, Section 8, Clause 7. This means the founders thought delivering mail was essential infrastructure, like roads or defense. Crucially, the resolution highlights that the USPS is self-sustaining, relying entirely on stamp sales and service revenue. It doesn't use taxpayer money, which is a key difference from many other federal agencies.
Why Your Mailbox Needs the Feds
If you live anywhere outside a major metro area, this is the part that hits home. The USPS has a universal service mandate, meaning they deliver to 168 million addresses every day, no matter how remote. For a small business owner in a rural town, or a family relying on prescriptions delivered by mail, this guarantee of service is non-negotiable. The resolution warns that privatization would likely lead to higher prices and worse service, especially in those expensive-to-reach rural areas, because a private company’s first priority is profit, not universal coverage.
The $1.9 Trillion Reason to Stay Put
This isn't just about letters; it's about the economy. The resolution points out that the USPS infrastructure supports a massive $1.9 trillion mailing industry and over 7.9 million jobs nationwide. If the USPS infrastructure were to crumble or become unstable due to privatization, the ripple effect would hit everyone from e-commerce giants—who rely on stable shipping rates—to the local printer. Furthermore, the USPS is a massive employer of veterans, with nearly 73,000 former service members on the payroll, making it a critical employer for that community.
More Than Just Delivery Drivers
Beyond the economics, the resolution touches on the community role of postal workers. They are often the only federal employee who visits every single home, and they frequently act as informal first responders, noticing and reporting issues related to health, safety, or crime, especially among elderly residents. This resolution is essentially Congress’s way of saying, “We see the value of the USPS, we understand its economic and social role, and we are committing to keeping it independent and universal.”