Postal Service to continue to deliver 6 days a week

Congress completed work last weekend on appropriations for a number of federal agencies, including the U.S. Postal Service.  H.R. 3288 — the Consolidated Appropriations Act, carries forward the language requiring 6-day mail service.

This mandate probably eliminates all chance of an end to Saturday delivery in calendar year 2010, said Tonda Rush, lobbyist for the National Newspaper Association in Washington D.C.

"Though Congress could overrule itself with a new bill, nothing we hear on the Hill indicates the postal oversight committees are ready to take that step. But it will arise anew this summer as the 2011 appropriations bills come up," Rush said.

The National Newspaper Association is working closely with the committee staffs to make sure they know our concerns. The association's postal consultant, Max Heath of Shelbyville, Ky., and Rush plan to meet next week with the Inspector General of the Postal Service, who advises Congress on USPS issues.

"We have moved beyond this year’s danger period. But USPS’s woeful finances remain an issue. Until they improve, we need to continue our work to defend Saturday delivery. Please don’t forget to mention its importance every chance you get. On this one, the USPS labor unions seem to be in accord with us so far," Rush said.

"And, as always, if you get any feedback from your Congressional delegations, Max and I benefit greatly from it," she added.