Political Quotes

“Madam President, I rise today to address an issue that goes to the very heart of our rural communities--our post offices. First, let's set the context. Our Postal Service is facing a challenging and difficult situation, no doubt. Americans' habits with first-class mail have changed, and there is greater competition for packages with groups such as FedEx and UPS. But perhaps the biggest wound to the post office's bottom line is one that Congress imposed: a $5.5 billion yearly financing of health care costs 75 years into the future. That is health care costs not just for folks who aren't yet employed with the post office but for future employees who have not yet been born. So, yes, the post office system must restructure, and it should start with Congress reversing the $5.5 billion yearly requirement for advanced yearly health care payments. Let's go to the other end of the spectrum, which absolutely does not make sense, and that is to close our rural post offices. In a rural town, the post office is the only place where nearby residents can send and receive mail. But it is more than that: It is a shipping center for the small businesses of the communities. It is the pharmacy for seniors and others who need medicines through the mail. It is the community center where folks gather and exchange information. In short, it is the very heart of our rural communities. Let's start by examining the critical role of rural post offices on small businesses.…”