Supporting Workers of the USPS

Floor Speech

Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 685,000 workers of the United States Postal Service who are facing a very devastating future without our action. If Congress doesn't act now, we could potentially lose 120,000 jobs, imagine that, that are in jeopardy today.

The United States Postal Service offers a very affordable system, but right now they are in jeopardy. Why? Because back in 2006, they were, I would say, in a discriminating way, required to pay $5.5 billion in overcharge into benefits that are not incurred at this time. Based on long-term projections, they have an estimated surplus--imagine that in this time--of $55 billion to $75 billion. Without this mandate, the USPS would actually have a $611 million benefit that could help out in this tough economy.

Mr. Speaker, there are 685,000 workers who are not at fault for this requirement, and this $5 billion requirement needs to stop now so our postal service can continue.

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