Today, President Biden signed the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 into law. Sponsored by Senator Gary Peters, this bill is the most significant overhaul of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) in almost 20 years — for Michiganders, that means mail delays highlighted in the pandemic will be addressed, important needs like medications and Social Security checks will continue to be delivered six days a week in every corner of the state, new transparency standards will be in place to hold the USPS accountable for mail delays, and more.
“Michiganders rely on our postal system everyday for many needs — from prescription medications to social security checks to voting — and this much-needed bill ensures that folks in every corner of our state receive the packages and letters they need. I applaud Senator Gary Peters and President Biden for their leadership on this important reform and every single Michigan Democrat for voting for it,” said Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes. “While Michigan Democrats lead the way to make sure every single address is served in the Great Lakes State, Michigan Republicans like Reps. Bill Huizenga, John Moolenar, and Lisa McClain remain beholden to the previous administration’s plan to dismantle the federal mail service that their rural and senior constituents rely on.”
Michiganders across the state rely on USPS to receive their everyday needs, and this mail service being the only entity to deliver to every single address at a flat rate makes it all the more important for Michiganders who live in rural areas, Michiganders with disabilities, and tribal communities. With nearly 10 percent of Americans still paying their bills by mail, 20 percent relying on it to receive their medications, and many relying on the mail to exercise their vote — the USPS is a lifeline for thousands in the Great Lakes State. The President’s signature making this reform act law literally delivers for Americans and solidifies the future of this vital government agency.
Here’s just some of what this new law means for people in Michigan is:
- protecting reliable delivery of everything from medication for seniors to household items for Michigan families;
- continued mail delivery service 6 days a week;
- new transparency standards to hold USPS accountable for delays;
- opportunities for local, state and Indigenous governments to offer certain non-mail services, like hunting and fishing licenses;
- support for rural newspapers that may qualify for reduced mailing fees;
- and more.
