National News

Senate makes first step to stop rural post office closures

Posted: Nov 9, 2011 4:26 PM by Q2 News
Updated: Nov 9, 2011 4:28 PM

WASHINGTON D.C. - Wednesday morning a Senate panel passed a measure preventing the U.S. Postal Service from closing rural post offices until it clearly defines criteria for doing so. The measure, by Senator Jon Tester passed with strong bipartisan support.

The measure states the Postal Service must establish criteria to determine whether a post office should be closed and must fully consider alternative ways to save money, such as shortening hours of operation and relocating post offices to other places of business.

Tester, a member of the Senate committee that oversees the Postal Service, added his provision to the 21st Century Postal Service Act. The legislation is aimed at preserving the Postal Service, which is struggling to make ends meet.

Tester's amendment gives the Postal Service six months to develop new criteria, which must include considerations of distance to other post offices and whether other alternatives can be found. After the criteria are developed, the Postal Service must reconsider each post office that is still being considered for closure.

The 21st Century Postal Service Act, now awaits a vote by the full Senate.

Topics: Post Office, US, Jon Tester