On the recordFebruary 28, 2012
Like many Members of our body, I represent a community with a postal facility that has been slated for closure. In Buffalo, 700 workers stand to lose their jobs if the United States Postal Service goes forward with the closure of the William Street mail processing facility. The good news is there is legislation that could have an immediate impact. My friend and colleague, Representative Steve Lynch, has introduced H.R. 1351, which would recalculate the Postal Service's pension funding, easing the budget strains that necessitate this drastic facility closure proposal. Last week I sent a letter, along with my western New York colleagues, Representative Louise Slaughter and Representative Kathy Hochul, urging Republican leadership to bring this bill to the floor for immediate consideration. Madam Speaker, this legislation is bipartisan and currently has 228 cosponsors, more than half the House. Though broader reforms will be needed, this bill is what will keep the Postal Service afloat in the short term. It's time for Congress to step up, put aside politics, and do what's right for small business, working families, and postal customers nationwide. ____________________
