Sen. Carper Statement on Rural Postal Act of 2015

WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del., ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement on the Rural Postal Act of 2015, introduced by Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) earlier today:

“We know all too well that the Postal Service continues to face financial challenges that threaten its future and long-term growth. This 200-year-old institution operates at the center of a $1 trillion industry that employs over 7 million people so we can’t let it falter. That’s why I am encouraged that a number of my colleagues, led by Senator Heitkamp, are taking steps to address some of the Postal Service’s challenges, specifically the serious service issues affecting our nation’s rural communities. As my colleagues and I have heard through numerous committee hearings and countless conversations with postal customers, stakeholders, and management, service in rural communities is suffering. It’s clear that we must help the Postal Service get better in this area. This bill will start an important conversation in this Congress about how to do that. But as my colleagues know, we need a comprehensive solution to fix the Postal Service’s problems, return it to solvency, and allow it to invest and grow in the years to come. I look forward to working with Senator Heitkamp and our other colleagues in Congress, the Administration, and stakeholders to find a solution that works.”

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