Postal Suspension Transparency Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6811
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-17: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-01T08:08:46Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Postal Suspension Transparency Act (H.R. 6811) aims to increase public transparency regarding temporary emergency closures of U.S. post offices by requiring the United States Postal Service (USPS) to create and maintain an online resource for affected locations. This helps users quickly access information about disruptions and alternatives during such events.
Key Provisions
- Website Requirement: USPS must develop and maintain a publicly available website featuring an interactive tool that lists all "covered post offices" (those temporarily closed due to emergencies under USPS policy).
- Information Provided: For each affected post office, the website includes:
- Street address.
- Date the suspension began.
- Reason for the suspension (e.g., safety issues or emergencies).
- Available alternative services, such as curbside delivery options and how to request them.
- Location and operating hours of the nearest facility offering postal services.
- Estimated date for resuming normal operations, if feasible.
- Search and Accessibility Features: Users can search by street address, ZIP Code, or post office box. The site must use an interactive dashboard for sorting, filtering, and bulk downloading of data in an open, reusable format (like structured data for easy analysis).
- Implementation Timeline: USPS must launch the website within one year of the bill's enactment.
- Clarifications and Definitions:
- The website does not serve as official notice of suspensions (official notices follow separate USPS policies).
- Key terms: "Covered post office" refers to any post office, branch, or station temporarily closed under emergency protocols; "emergency suspension" means a short-term operational halt for urgent reasons.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new section (3693) to subchapter VII of chapter 36 in title 39 of the U.S. Code, which governs postal rates and classification.
- Updates the table of contents for that chapter to include the new section.
- No alterations to existing USPS emergency suspension policies (outlined in the Postal Service Handbook PO-101 or successors); it only mandates public reporting on those events.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: USPS will need to invest resources in building and updating the website, potentially involving IT development and data management. This could improve operational efficiency by centralizing information but adds a compliance burden.
- On Citizens: Enhances access to real-time details about postal disruptions, helping individuals and businesses (e.g., mail-dependent users in rural or affected areas) find alternatives quickly, reducing inconvenience during emergencies like weather events or security issues.
- On International Relations: Minimal to none, as the bill focuses on domestic postal operations and does not address cross-border mail or global services.
Main Stakeholders
- United States Postal Service (USPS): Primary entity responsible for implementation and maintenance.
- Citizens and Businesses: Especially those in areas with post office closures, including residents, small businesses, and e-commerce users reliant on postal services.
- Local Communities: Rural or underserved areas may benefit most from clear information on alternatives.
- Congressional Oversight: The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which received the bill for review.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens accountability under postal laws by promoting open data without overriding USPS's authority to handle emergencies. The open-format requirement aligns with broader federal transparency initiatives (e.g., like those in the DATA Act for government data accessibility).
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it supports First Amendment values of public access to government information without infringing on privacy or due process.
- Political: Could foster bipartisan support for postal reliability, given co-sponsorship across party lines. It addresses public concerns about service disruptions (e.g., past issues with mail delays) but may spark debates on USPS funding for tech upgrades. No major controversies evident in the bill text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-17: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-12-17: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Postal Suspension Transparency Act — issued 2025-12-17 — PDF (5 pages)