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Floor Speech

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Mr. SCHUMER. today, all postcloture time be considered expired on H.R. 3076; that amendment No. 4955 be withdrawn; that the bill be considered read a third time; that if a budget point of order is raised and a motion to waive made, the Senate vote on the motion to waive; that if waived, the Senate vote on the passage of the bill; further, that upon disposition of H.R. 3076 that, notwithstanding rule XXII, the Senate proceed to executive session and vote on the motions to invoke cloture on Calendar Nos. 547 and 719; that if cloture is invoked on any of these nominations, the Senate vote on confirmation of the nominations at a time to be determined by the majority leader or his designee following consultation with the Republican leader; finally, that there be 2 minutes for debate, equally divided in the usual form, prior to each vote, all without further intervening action or debate.

Members should be notified to get here and to stay around so we can get this done.
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Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, every day, the U.S. Postal Service faithfully delivers for the American people. Today, the Senate is finally delivering for the post office.

Today, we can happily say that the postal reform is now signed, sealed, and delivered for the American people. Because of today's bill, the Postal Service will be stronger, more efficient, and better able to serve more people, and we did it on a bipartisan basis.

For over a decade, the USPS--one of the most important institutions in American life--has been on an ominous trajectory: shrinking revenues, fewer delivery routes, and finances in desperate need of a revamp. These problems led to late deliveries, reduced hours, and increased costs. And when the Postal Service suffers, America suffers.

Today, after much hard work, the Senate is providing the Postal Service a much needed reset. The legislation we are about to pass is the most significant step that Congress has taken in a long time to strengthen USPS. It will guarantee delivery services 6 days a week, put the Postal Service on a path to solvency, and will ensure that we care for our dedicated postal workers, all while saving dollars.

This postal reform bill is a win-win-win: a win for bipartisanship, a win for our postal workers, and most importantly, a win for the tens of millions of Americans who rely on the Postal Service every single day, from seniors to veterans, to small businesses, to rural Americans, to everyone in between.

I want to really give a special shout-out to my colleagues who made this possible for us to pass this bill. Senators Peters and Portman led the charge, Senator Carper worked long in the vineyards on this bill, and so many others as well.

Of course, I want to thank the half a million postal workers who kept our country going every single day, especially during the pandemic. While so many other services were shut down during COVID, the post office kept delivering goods and supplies and medicines across the economy. They are public servants of the highest order.

So it is a great day for our postal workers, and it is a great day for the American people.

The bill has been in the works for over a decade, and today, after so much work, we are all thrilled to have finally gotten it done. Vote on H.R. 3076
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