The Keep US Posted organization recently awarded Reps. James Comer (R-Kentucky) and Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) the inaugural Benjamin Franklin Award for Distinguished Leadership in Postal Policy at a reception in Washington, D.C.
The award, presented by the Keep US Posted organization’s executive director, Kevin Yoder, is given to members of Congress who have led efforts to preserve and protect the United States Postal Service (USPS) for the Americans who rely on it.
Domtar and other industry allies support the Keep US Posted organization and continue to advocate for a sustainable postal service.
Comer and Connolly were instrumental in the passage and implementation of the landmark Postal Service Reform Act of 2022, a bipartisan bill signed in April by President Joe Biden.
The new law, which represents the first major postal reform since 2006, was intended to fiscally stabilize USPS and keep postage affordable. Notably, the Postal Service Reform Act integrated future retirees into Medicare, saving billions on healthcare premiums. This, along with other operational improvements, will generate nearly $50 billion of financial relief for USPS and improve its future fiscal stability.
Even so, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced in the fall that he will continue raising stamp prices at an “uncomfortable” level — which, for many mail products, has outpaced inflation.
Since then, stamp prices increased for an unprecedented second time in one year, with another increase planned for July 2023 and every six months thereafter.
Keep US Posted organization members and others are advocating for better solutions for the postal service to serve American consumers and businesses.
Keep US Posted organization celebrates progress
“Both Congressman Comer and Congressman Connolly have been willing to reach across the aisle to preserve and protect the affordability and reliability of the U.S. Postal Service,” said Yoder, a former Republican member of Congress from Kansas. “Both of these extraordinary policymakers continually put the needs of the mailing public first by ignoring political differences and working with their colleagues both Democrat and Republican. Their actions have reflected true leadership in Postal Service oversight. They are dedicated to ensuring that its benefits are fully achieved for all stakeholders.”
“I want to thank Keep US Posted and their leadership for all their work and efforts to improve the U.S. Postal Service,” said Comer. “Americans hold the USPS in extremely high regard. And that’s for good reason — all rely on it for our paychecks, medications, news and magazines, and correspondence with loved ones. The USPS is truly one of our prized national assets.
“For years, I worked with my colleagues across the aisle to deliver one of the biggest bipartisan accomplishments in the 117th Congress. Signed by President Biden, the Postal Service Reform Act strengthened and improved USPS operations for generations to come. The modernization of the USPS is in full swing, and I look forward to ensuring it operates like a 21st century business that provides reliable service to the American people.”
Throughout the pandemic, the U.S. Postal Service was the one constant in all our lives,” said Connolly. “Amidst the upheaval, we could always count on the mail showing up in our mailboxes each day. It was, and remains, a lifeline for millions.
“Our efforts to save the Postal Service became more important, and more necessary than ever before. And while it wasn’t easy, we got bipartisan postal reform across the finish line. I am honored by this recognition and looking forward to the work ahead to keep USPS forever up and running for the American people we serve.”
Learn more about this advocacy group, and find out how you can get involved in the Keep US Posted organization.
