AUSPL leaders Morgan Wolaver and  Gary Phillips  recently joined AUSPL lobbyist Alan Suskey in Washington, D.C., to meet with leaders in the House and Senate on postal reform. They had the opportunity to meet with leaders of both parties and discuss the importance of universal service and the important role that leased postal facilities play in universal service. They received a warm reception by staff and members of Congress alike, all discussing the various ways to return the Postal Service to solvency and prosperity.

While in D.C., the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, chaired by Rep. Darrel Issa (R-CA), amended and passed HR 2748 out of committee. This is Chairman’s Issa’s Postal Reform Act of 2013 that will be the House’s preferred version of reform. We heard from many members that they are still concerned about some portions of the bill, but that they expect to see many changes throughout the passage and conference process with the Senate. In meeting with HR 2748 cosponsor and AUSPL’s 2013 Champion of Postal Lessors, Rep. Dennis Ross (R-FL), we discussed the ability to offer lessor-friendly amendments once the bill reaches the House floor. We will continue to work with the House and their staff as the process moves forward.

We were also excited to hear that Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, plans to release the Senate’s version of postal reform in the coming months. This will set the stage for final passage and, we hope, conference with a House reform version.

We are excited about the months ahead and chances for comprehensive postal reform to finally pass the Congress. Please see below for a list of offices we met with during our trip to D.C.!

Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)

Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-TX)

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD)

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)

Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK)

Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR)

Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH)

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI)

Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT)

Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY)

Rep. Lacy Clay(D-MO)

Rep. Dennis Ross (R-FL)

Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ)