Bill Overview
Title: POST Act
Description: This bill prohibits the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from closing any USPS facility during the COVID-19 public health emergency period.
Sponsors: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Target Audience
Population: People who rely on USPS for mailing and shipping services
Estimated Size: 300000000
- The USPS employs over 600,000 people nationwide.
- Many businesses and individuals rely on USPS for their mailing and shipping needs.
- The closure of USPS facilities would likely delay mail and packages, impacting everyone who uses postal services.
- The POST Act aims to maintain USPS operations to avoid disruptions during a public health emergency.
Reasoning
- The USPS is highly integrated into both personal and business operations in the US, affecting a broad segment of the population.
- People living in rural areas often have limited alternatives for postal services, making them heavily reliant on USPS.
- The policy targets maintaining operational levels during an economic downturn caused by a public health emergency, which may preserve jobs and service reliability.
- While not everyone will feel a direct impact, the ripple effects through delayed deliveries can affect various aspects of life, from business operations to personal communication.
Simulated Interviews
USPS Mail Carrier (Bowling Green, KY)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry every day about whether our facility might close.
- This act would give me some peace of mind, knowing I can continue providing for my family during these times.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Small Business Owner (Seattle, WA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My business relies on USPS for timely deliveries, especially now more than ever.
- Keeping postal services steady means survival for my small business.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Retired (Rural Iowa)
Age: 78 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't drive much, so I rely on USPS to deliver my medications safely.
- Knowing my local post office will stay open reassures me of continued access.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Freelance Designer (Brooklyn, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- USPS has always been reliable for my materials. Knowing it won’t close during the pandemic is a relief.
- It's one less thing to worry about when times are already uncertain.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
IT Specialist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I rarely use USPS services aside from occasional packages.
- I don't think the policy will make a significant difference to my life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's nice to know that my local USPS won't be shutting down anytime soon. That means I can get my textbooks without worry.
- It's one less hassle while I'm focusing on my studies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Retired veteran (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Being a vet, my benefits coming through USPS is a huge deal for me.
- The act ensures that I won't be left hanging during uncertain times.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Nurse (Detroit, MI)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Keeping the postal service running means I can focus more on my job and less on erratic mail services.
- It's crucial in the times we're facing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Warehouse Manager (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Without USPS, our operations would take a hit as alternatives are expensive.
- I'm glad to hear this act would help keep our essential services intact.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
HR Coordinator (Denver, CO)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- In my job, it's crucial that employee documents and materials are mailed timely.
- Having assurance that USPS will remain open brings some consistency in uncertain times.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 2: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 3: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 5: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 10: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 100: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Key Considerations
- The USPS operates as an independent establishment and generally covers costs through its own revenue; however, mandated operational mandates could indirectly lead to federal support if deficits increase.
- Continued operation during the pandemic mitigates disruptions but does not address underlying financial challenges faced by USPS.