News release
Rep. George Whitesides, D-Agua Dulce, and Rep. Rick W. Allen, R-Georgia, introduced the Contract Postal Unit Transparency Act, legislation designed to require the United States Postal Service to provide reports on how the closure of contract postal units will impact residents and allow for public hearings before any closure takes place.
CPUs are privately owned, local post offices that provide products and services to the public at USPS prices, often operating as full-service locations.
“In my district, the Quartz Hill post office’s contract was abruptly terminated with no transparency or rationale provided,” Whitesides said in a news release. “This full-service CPU has served our community since 1952, and my constituents deserve to know how they will be impacted by the sudden closure. My bill will increase transparency and involve the community in this process.”
“I am proud to join Rep. Whitesides in introducing the bipartisan Contract Postal Unit Transparency Act. The USPS Substation located at Surrey Center Pharmacy in Augusta has reliably served our community since 1979 — not only helping taxpayers mail and receive packages, pay bills, and much more in a timely fashion — but also prioritizing customer service in doing so,” Allen said in the release. “The unilateral and sudden decision from USPS to potentially terminate this contract without explanation, congressional input, or public feedback is unacceptable. I share my constituents’ frustration in this decision and will continue to do my part at the federal level to ensure their voices are heard.”
The Contract Postal Unit Transparency Act would require the Postal Service to publish a report on the Postal Service’s public website on expected impacts a closure will have on residents and what steps the Postal Service will take to ensure continued access to postal services in affected areas. The Postal Service would be required to submit a report to Congress detailing its reasons for closing or consolidating the affected Contract Postal Unit.
The Postal Service would also be required to carry out a public hearing on the closure or consolidation, which may be attended in-person or virtually by any members of the public affected by the closure or consolidation.
