The U.S. Postal Service announced that it would end Saturday mail delivery beginning in August.
While correspondence through the mail is engrained in our culture, technology has changed the way we communicate. Today, instead of sending our messages through the mail, we text, email, and use social media to communicate. My office receives most of our questions and comments from Arkansans via email. While our methods of communication have changed, the U.S. Postal Service needs the flexibility to update its services with the changing times or it will come at a cost.
The postal service lost nearly $16 billion last year alone. To help reform USPS, my Senate colleagues and I passed legislation last year that would have given USPS the flexibility it needs to continue the service we have all come to know.
The 21st Century Postal Reform Act gave good guidance to getting the USPS back on its feet and offering options for reform without cutting practical service and would have prevented a change in delivery for two years.
I am disappointed that the postal service resorted to altering its delivery service, but it should not come at the expense of the needs of Arkansans. However, the delivery service change will only impact mail. Saturday delivery will remain for P.O. boxes, packages (including medication), and Post Offices will remain open for currently posted hours.
This week the Homeland Security and Government Reform Committee is holding a hearing to find alternative methods to help USPS save money and continue its current delivery schedule.
I will work with my colleagues to limit the consequences this decision will have on businesses and families who rely on the postal service.
