Hochul, Higgins, & Slaughter Push for House Action on Bill Lifting Pension Prefunding

Press Release

Congressmembers Kathy Hochul (NY-26) , Brian Higgins (NY-27), and Louise Slaughter (NY-28) sent a letter calling on the Speaker of the House of Representatives to bring H.R. 1351, the United States Postal Service Pension Obligation Recalculation and Restoration Act of 2011, to the House Floor for a vote.

"The reliable, cost effective service provided by the USPS is part of the foundation of our economy," said Congresswoman Hochul. "It's time to move past the politics and pass this bipartisan legislation that will not only strengthen the postal service, but ensure that American businesses, families, and seniors continue to receive the quality mail service they rely on."

"We have a bipartisan legislative vehicle that can dramatically change the balance sheet of the Postal Service; there is no reason why this shouldn't be taken up immediately," said Congressman Higgins. "This is an economic issue that stretches far beyond the USPS institution. Congress should step up, put aside politics, and do what's right for small businesses, working families and postal customers nationwide."

"The Postal Service needs our help and it's long past time that this bipartisan legislation move forward," said Congresswoman Slaughter.

On February 23, 2012 the USPS announced plans to move forward with their proposal to move mail processing operations from the Buffalo Processing and Distribution Center to the Rochester Processing and Distribution Center. Approximately 700 employees at the William Street site would be impacted by the plant closing.

A 2006 law requires the USPS to pre-fund one hundred percent of its pension obligations seventy-five years in advance, costing the Postal Service billions of dollars each year. H.R. 1351, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Steve Lynch and cosponsored by Reps. Hochul, Higgins, and Slaughter would recalculate the pension funding, significantly easing USPS budget strains causing drastic closings. The legislation is cosponsored by 228 members -- a majority of the House of Representatives -- indicating broad support and likely approval if presented for a vote.

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