Letter to the Hon. Kevin McCarthy, Republican Leader, the Hon. Mitch McConnell, Majority Leader, the Hon. Steven Mnuchin, Secretary of Treasury - McKinley Calls On Support for Postal Workers

Letter

Dear Leader McCarthy, Majority Leader McConnell, and Secretary Mnuchin:
As you consider legislative priorities in any upcoming stimulus packages to address the coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic, we urge you to incorporate provisions that will address the needs of the U.S.
Postal Service (USPS). Postal management believes that volume and revenue may drop by 50% due to
COVID-19. Now is not the time to debate reforms to USPS but rather to provide much needed relief to
keep this important service operational.
In March, USPS worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to send a mailer
with critical information about COVID-19 and recommendations for every American to prevent the
spread of the virus. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently working on a self-testing nasal
swab that must, once available, be efficiently delivered by the Postal Service to 135 million households
across the country.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act, P.L. 116-137) provided $10
billion to the Treasury Department's Federal Finance Bank (FFB). The FFB has tried to impose
operational changes to the Postal Service for years and these authorities were augmented in the CARES
Act. USPS has not received a taxpayer appropriation (other than for military/overseas voting and free
mail for the blind) since the 1980s but this current crisis warrants that change.
We ask that you consider including the following provisions:
1. A "public service" appropriation of at least $25 billion to the Postal Service to alleviate some of
the strain caused by the pandemic.
2. An authorization for a continued "public service" appropriation for the difference between USPS
revenue and expenses for the duration of this public health crisis.
3. A mechanism to reimburse the Postal Service for any COVID-19 related leave pay provided by
the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-127).
4. Ensure equal treatment for postal employees in any legislation that authorizes, and funds hazard
pay for other front-line workers exposed to health risks related to the COVID-19 virus. Such
legislation should cover postal workers, who face heightened exposure risks to the virus on a
daily basis.
Millions of Americans depend on the Postal Service throughout their daily lives but especially during the
coronavirus pandemic USPS is serving an important role. Any interruption to service could be detrimental
not only to USPS but also to our constituents across the country.